Meet Our Client: Pam Pack-Pappas
Throughout her marriage, Pam Pack-Pappas and her husband Bill had steady income, a well-kept home, and a strong credit rating.
When Bill was diagnosed with dementia in the 1990s, things became a bit more challenging, and when he passed away in 2015, things got worse. Pam started living on credit cards, which led to significant financial challenges.
Realizing she was in trouble, Pam began looking into where she could get help. She was familiar with Benjamin Rose from services Bill had received in years past, so she reached out and learned about a variety of programs she felt would benefit her.
“The first thing I did was enroll in the financial education workshops – I took online courses for a week, then took advantage of the individual counseling that was offered. This is when I realized how bad my current financial situation was,” says Pam, who started looking for a part-time job and found one, teaching craft classes.
As part of her job, management wanted her to post photos of crafts and classes using social media, but Pam didn’t know how to do that. Once again, she turned to Benjamin Rose, signing up for the Connecting Our Seniors to Technology (COST) program through which she attended in-person classes. Upon completion of the program, she received her own laptop and an introductory internet subsidy.
Over the past few years, using what she learned from the financial education workshops, Pam has worked hard to improve her credit rating and reduce her credit card debt. She’s also been saving money so when an emergency comes up – a hot water tank breaks or her car needs repair – she has the money to pay for it.
“I never had kids, so the fact that the people at Benjamin Rose are there to help, and they really care, means so much,” says Pam. “Benjamin Rose is the catalyst for getting your life together when you don’t know what to do or where to go.”
Learn More About Financial Wellness
At Benjamin Rose, we offer an array of services to help adults in all stage of life achieve and maintain financial wellness, from financial counseling to benefits assessments. Discover how we can help you work towards a better future today!
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