HomeFirst – Community Affairs | The University of Alabama

Shelton State and UA’s HomeFirst Team Up for Personal Finance 101

November 13th, 2023
in HomeFirst

Shelton State and UA’s HomeFirst Team Up for Personal Finance 101

by Sophia Xiong
CCBP Graduate Assistant

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – On September 14, students at Shelton State Community College benefited from a basic financial planning class dubbed “Financial Planning 101,” courtesy of the University of Alabama’s (UA) HomeFirst team. This collaborative effort between UA’s HomeFirst and Shelton State’s Collegiate 100 yielded valuable financial education for the students.

James Renshaw, program coordinator for programs and partnerships for community engagement, delivered the Financial Planning 101 lecture to the students. Renshaw covered topics such as budgeting, banking accounts, credit score, and homeownership.

“I coordinate HomeFirst and work with several Shelton State Collegiate 100 members as they volunteer with our program,” Renshaw said. “Shelton State and Collegiate 100^® created this idea of a Personal Finance 101 event and approached me to represent HomeFirst. The planning started earlier this year, and this marked the first time Shelton and Collegiate 100^® jointly hosted this event.”

Collegiate 100^® is a student organization with a primary mission to facilitate one-on-one and group mentoring by 100 Black Men of America, Inc.^® Chapters to students transitioning from high school to college. Their initiatives encompass economic empowerment, leadership development, health/wellness and mentoring.

Toya Carter, media specialist and Collegiate 100^® advisor at Shelton State, emphasized, “Economic empowerment is one of Collegiate 100’s initiatives, and we are partner with UA’s HomeFirst. So, we believed this event would be a valuable opportunity for students to learn different personal financial topics that are important to them.”

To promote the event, Carter and her team put information on social media, reached out to faculty and sent information to their student ambassador.

Josie Cox, student retention coordinator and Collegiate 100^® advisor at Shelton State, discussed the common concerns students have about finance. “Our Collegiate 100^® students took note of these concerns by collaborating with organizations such as UA’s HomeFirst.”

Carter said stronger knowledge of personal finance was one of the biggest things she wanted the students to get out of the event so they could take what they learned and apply it to their personal lives, for example by creating a budget.

“While this is the first event we host, we also conduct success seminars and provide a career resource department to support student achievement,” she said. She went on to share that Renshaw and Dr. Nicole Prewitt, director of programs and partnerships for community engagement, have helped tailor the program to fit into Shelton’s student dynamics and have provided suggestions on how to make the event better.

Rachel Cobia, accounting and personal finance instructor at Shelton State Community College, emphasized, “Personal finance matters to everyone, both in the present and for their future. I hope my students can get ahead by planning their future before their big life decisions are made. I sat with many of my students and I can tell they all enjoyed it. I hope it will continue.”

UA HomeFirst Coaches’ Retreat Supports Students, Volunteers

August 30th, 2022
in HomeFirst

by Dr. Elisabetta Zengaro
Communications Specialist, Division of Community Affairs

Volunteers participating in The University of Alabama’s HomeFirst Coaches’ Retreat from Aug. 25–26 at Capital Hall learned interpersonal skills are just as important as financial literacy when guiding future homeowners.

Housed in UA’s Center for Community-Based Partnerships, HomeFirst is a financial wellness initiative that serves individuals and families on their path toward first-time homeownership or foreclosure prevention. The retreat trained volunteer coaches to work with HomeFirst participants with presentations on financial literacy and establishing interpersonal skills with potential homeowners. The coaching participants put their skills to the test with activities on role-playing and active listening.

“I’m a social worker, social work student in the grad program, so [HomeFirst] kind of falls in line with what I plan to do,” said Ayana Hendricks-Boyland, a graduate research assistant for Dr. Nicole Prewitt, director of Programs and Partnerships for Community Engagement. “I love that we are able to educate the community about finances.”

“I did the peer financial coaching here [at UA], so I’ve done a similar thing before, and it’s nice to get that opportunity again,” said Kassia Jezak, a senior dual major in financial planning and marketing at UA. “You’re not above them at all or bossing them around. It’s a very equal relationship.”

The retreat also highlighted a new partnership between HomeFirst and the UA College of Human Environmental Sciences (CHES). Dr. Kyoung Tae Kim, associate professor and graduate program coordinator for the Department of Consumer Sciences, said the partnership began in the summer of 2022. A goal of the collaboration is to send UA students in CHES and consumer sciences to HomeFirst coaching opportunities for more practical experience in financial planning.

“I bought my house this summer, but if I knew about this program before I purchased it, I would be participating as a participant,” Kim said. “Even though I’m a financial planning professor who teaches insurance, taxes and so many financial planning things, purchasing a home in reality is a little bit different … so I’m so glad to see that this program is ready to help faculty, staff and students, and I’m so proud of being here as a small partner.”

The partnership between CHES and HomeFirst has already gaged student interest. After hearing James Renshaw, program coordinator for Programs and Partnerships for Community Engagement, speak to their class in personal asset management, Faith Frost and Sophie Stallings, both seniors majoring in finance, decided to volunteer as HomeFirst coaches.

“I like that you don’t feel like you’re a professional, kind of like you’re learning along with them,” Frost said.

“I like how supportive and welcoming all the staff has been,” Stallings added. “They’ve made it a really easy introduction.”

While most participants were UA students, faculty and staff, members from outside the UA community also attended the retreat in efforts to become HomeFirst coaches in other areas

“I like that the retreat focuses on how to be a coach more so than just learning information,” said Toya Carter, media specialist at Shelton State Community College.

Tuscaloosa’s Habitat for Humanity Dedicates New Home for HomeFirst Family

August 18th, 2022
in HomeFirst

by Dr. Elisabetta Zengaro
Communications Specialist, Division of Community Affairs

For many adults, homeownership may seem more like a dream than a possibility, but HomeFirst helps participants take steps to achieve homeownership through financial planning. For HomeFirst participant Kanika Cotton, that dream became a reality when she and her family moved into their new Habitat for Humanity home on Thursday, Aug. 11.

Cotton’s home was funded by Nick’s Kids Foundation, the official charity of Alabama Head Football Coach Nick Saban and his wife, Terry Saban.

“Mrs. Saban wanted to keep it a surprise,” said Cotton. “I think it was in March when Susan Kasteler [Homeowner Services Coordinator for Habitat for Humanity Tuscaloosa] told me who was sponsoring me, and I was just excited because I work for UA and I’m a big Alabama fan, so it was like a two-in-one win.”

Cotton’s journey to homeownership began in February 2022 with her participation in HomeFirst. Housed in The University of Alabama’s (UA) Center for Community-Based Partnerships, HomeFirst is a financial wellness initiative that serves individuals and families on their path toward first-time homeownership or foreclosure prevention.

“What I like about HomeFirst is that it actually helped me budget better, and it helped me save, too,” said Cotton. “[HomeFirst] got me prepared for being a homeowner and knowing what to expect.”

Justin Washington, a volunteer coach with HomeFirst and instructor in the Department of Management at UA, has been helping Cotton meet her financial goals with UA HomeFirst and was at the dedication ceremony for Cotton’s new home.

“As much as I’m coaching Kanika, it also challenges me to stay sharp on my financial well-being, so when we’re working through the modules, it allows me to reflect on how I’m doing in certain areas as well,” said Washington. “We’re taking this journey together.”

Cotton finished the program in the summer, just in time to move into her new home.

Retreat Prepares Volunteers in UAB-AmeriCorps VISTA to be HomeFirst Coaches

August 10th, 2022
in HomeFirst

by Dr. Elisabetta Zengaro
Communications Specialist, Division of Community Affairs

Held at The Westin Hotel in Birmingham, Alabama, Aug. 4–5, the HomeFirst University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Coaches’ Retreat offered volunteer coaches in the UAB-AmeriCorps VISTA Statewide Program insight into the barriers to homeownership and tips for supporting participants on their path to homeownership.

Housed in The University of Alabama’s (UA) Center for Community-Based Partnerships, HomeFirst is a financial wellness initiative that serves individuals and families on their path toward first-time homeownership or foreclosure prevention. The retreat marks the expansion of HomeFirst into the Birmingham area as UAB looks to replicate the program.

Beginning in 2021, HomeFirst sought to partner with UAB to serve high-needs rural communities. By partnering with UA HomeFirst, UAB will offer the program across the Alabama Black Belt. UAB plans to serve 25 participants in these counties, with the majority to be served coming from rural areas.

“I got involved with HomeFirst after meeting with a community partner and Dr. [Nicole] Prewitt. I also spoke with Dean [Eric] Jack about the HomeFirst program,” said Dr. Stephanie Yates, professor of finance and director of the Regions Institute for Financial Education at UAB.

After brief introductions, the retreat began with an overview of the HomeFirst program on Thursday, Aug. 4.

“I look forward to pairing HomeFirst and financial wellness with health and wellness [because] their work focuses on reducing poverty throughout Alabama,” added Dr. Amy Hutson Chatham, assistant dean of undergraduate education at UAB and director of the UAB-AmeriCorps VISTA Statewide Program.

The first day concluded with an active listening activity and scavenger hunt trivia activity based on the coaching modules and resources. During Friday’s luncheon, participants learned tips to facilitate disclosure and trust during the coaching relationship panel.

“What I am learning most from this retreat is how to market yourself in the financial world,” said Kristi Dunning, an AmeriCorp Vista from Wilcox County.

Volunteers put their new skills into action during a mock coaching session, a role-playing exercise allowing coaches to place themselves in their participants’ shoes.

“I really enjoyed meeting the participants,” said Cheryl Sanders, program manager for UAB Regions Institute for Financial Education. “[The] participants really wanted to create a better situation for their children.”

The coaches’ retreat concluded with a tour of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Museum, one of the largest sports halls of fame in the nation.

HomeFirst Hosts Greene County Coaches’ Retreat

July 26th, 2022
in HomeFirst

by Dr. Elisabetta Zengaro
Communications Specialist, Division of Community Affairs

At The University of Alabama, one need look no further than the Paul W. Bryant Museum to see how coaching builds success, so it was only appropriate that the HomeFirst Greene County Coaches’ Retreat end with a tour of the museum on Friday, July 22.

Held at the Capstone Hotel in Tuscaloosa July 21–22, the HomeFirst Greene County Coaches’ Retreat provided an overview of HomeFirst and opportunities for volunteers to practice their coaching skills and learn how to build rapport with participants. The sessions included mock interviews, coaching activities, presentations and panel discussions designed to help coaches build rapport with future homeowners. At the end of the retreat, volunteers learned how they can extend UA’s coaching legacy as financial coaches who support and assist individuals’ and families’ goals of homeownership.

Housed in UA’s Center for Community-Based Partnerships (CCBP), HomeFirst is a financial wellness initiative that serves individuals and families on their path toward first-time homeownership or foreclosure prevention.

“I believe that homeownership is the capstone of the American dream, and as such it’s only appropriate that [HomeFirst] be located here at the Capstone of education in the state of Alabama,” said Dr. Jim McLean, associate vice president for Community Affairs and executive director of CCBP, before Friday’s luncheon. “But we really appreciate your participation and the leadership that you’re showing in this program. I was telling someone earlier I wish I would have had a coach to help me through the first time [that I bought a house].”

Melissa Knox, a former participant in HomeFirst, described the importance of coach-participant relationships in helping first-time homebuyers.

“I can’t say enough about the program,” Knox said. “We didn’t have a clue, and the process that they took us through made it so much easier and so much smoother for us. I can’t thank the HomeFirst program enough, and the coaching is the key.”

Josie Cox, student retention coordinator at Shelton State Community College, shared the importance of HomeFirst coaches in overcoming challenges facing rural communities, such as Greene County, during Friday’s luncheon.

“There are limited resources and barriers that rural communities face,” Cox said. “I think that what you’re doing here by giving people an avenue to homeownership and giving them that opportunity to advance and get equity and also building that capital and also being able to pass that down for generations to come is definitely a step in the right direction as far as building family wealth.”

Marie Butler, program coordinator for HomeFirst in Greene County, works with the coaches in Greene County and highlighted the goal of the partnership.

“Ms. [Anita] Lewis is from Greene County, and she brought her concerns that there wasn’t a housing program in the area that would provide housing finance awareness, so people in Greene County could afford safe and decent housing,” Butler said. “This program will allow the residents of Greene County to be able to have a home in Greene County. I know she doesn’t have to worry about that anymore.”

“Living in Eutaw all my life, I realized that the housing situation was something that needed to be worked on. … Since 2005, that’s what I’ve been working on, trying to get more housing into Greene County,” said Anita Lewis, executive director at the Housing Authority of Greene County. “I think what’s going to happen from this retreat [is] it makes us thirsty for more, and I think it’s going to make the volunteer coaches more engaged.”

UA HomeFirst Program Recognized by International Town and Gown Association

June 28th, 2022
in HomeFirst

Dr. Nicole Prewitt, right, director of programs and partnerships for community engagement at UA’s Center for Community-Based Partnerships, accepts a 2022 ITGA Presidential Excellence Award recognizing UA’s HomeFirst Program.

Photo courtesy of Clemson University

by Dr. Elisabetta Zengaro
Communications Specialist, Division of Community Affairs

At the recent annual conference of the International Town and Gown Association (ITGA), held at Clemson University, The University of Alabama’s HomeFirst program received a 2022 ITGA Presidential Excellence Award. Dr. Nicole Prewitt, director of programs and partnerships for community engagement at UA’s Center for Community-Based Partnerships (CCBP), accepted the award.

“HomeFirst exemplifies a volunteer effort that contributes to the quality of life in our community by supporting each participant’s path toward homeownership by focusing on core areas related to homebuyer readiness and foreclosure prevention through financial capability, including savings, money management, access to banking, credit building and debt reduction,” Prewitt said.

Housed in CCBP, HomeFirst is a financial wellness initiative that serves Greene, Hale, and Tuscaloosa County individuals and families on their path toward first-time homeownership or foreclosure prevention.

“The ultimate purpose of the HomeFirst program is to expand the pool of eligible homeowners by improving financial capability, and we are so honored to extend the university’s resources to serve the people of Alabama,” Prewitt added.

Since 2017, HomeFirst has served more than 150 individuals and families on the path to homeownership over the life of the program. Since Prewitt took the helm of HomeFirst in 2019, HomeFirst has served 123 of those 150 households, and 31 HomeFirst coaches have logged more than 432 coaching meetings with community participants. On average, participants enter with a 4.53 financial capability scale (FCS) score and exit with a 6.14 FCS. This progress is comparable to financial coaching programs offered by professionals.

“It was excellent for the program to receive the award and really shows how others value our work,” said James Renshaw, program coordinator for programs and partnerships for community engagement at CCBP. “We believe that HomeFirst is an amazing program that can really make a huge difference in so many lives. The fact that ITGA, and many others at the conference, have viewed the work and agreed with us really feels like a great accomplishment.”

ITGA is a global non-profit association dedicated to strengthening town-gown partnerships through college campus and community interests. The ITGA Presidential Excellence Award is a way to highlight ITGA members who demonstrate exceptional performance in one of the following areas: volunteer service, leadership, or educational achievement in town-gown communities or for ITGA. The ITGA Presidential Excellence Award is presented annually at the ITGA Conference.

More than 250 attendees representing multiple states and countries — including Canada and the United Kingdom — were in attendance to share best practices and identify opportunities
for improving town-and-gown relationships.

The event attracted individuals representing a broad spectrum of affiliations in higher education, as well as city administrators, council members, law enforcement, department directors, CEOs and executive directors representing 10 nonprofits, 26 private sector organizations, 76 cities, towns and boroughs, and 150 universities and colleges.

Category: HomeFirst

Category: HomeFirst

Shelton State and UA’s HomeFirst Team Up for Personal Finance 101

Shelton State and UA’s HomeFirst Team Up for Personal Finance 101

UA HomeFirst Coaches’ Retreat Supports Students, Volunteers

Tuscaloosa’s Habitat for Humanity Dedicates New Home for HomeFirst Family

Retreat Prepares Volunteers in UAB-AmeriCorps VISTA to be HomeFirst Coaches

HomeFirst Hosts Greene County Coaches’ Retreat

UA HomeFirst Program Recognized by International Town and Gown Association

Dr. Nicole Prewitt, right, director of programs and partnerships for community engagement at UA’s Center for Community-Based Partnerships, accepts a 2022 ITGA Presidential Excellence Award recognizing UA’s HomeFirst Program.