This podcast - Homebuying... 123 - How to go from Creditworthy to Mortgage Qualified - tackles important topics for the first-time homebuyer such as: 

• The importance of credit – how does it factor into securing a mortgage?
• What are the factors that influence credit scores? 
• Saving for a down payment – what are some strategies for success?
• Shopping for a mortgage - how to evaluate lender choices? 
• What are some common mistakes first time home buyers should avoid? 

... and much more!

Guests on the program are Sarah Carter - Stand By Me Home Program Manager / Financial Coach, Traceé Taylor - Program Supervisor for Kent & Sussex, and Laura Gendreaux - Director of Financial Empowerment. 

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

The latest Stand By Me Podcast features Donna Snyder-White, Vice President, Financial Empowerment for United Way of Delaware, and Lynn Bivens, Senior Community Resource Specialist for Delaware 211, to discuss Delaware 211, the services it provides, and how it connects to and supports the mission of Stand By Me.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

The latest Stand By Me Podcast features Laura Gendreau, Director of Financial Empowerment, and Jude Liszkiewicz, Program Manager and Coach with the Stand By Me program, discussing what we've learned from the past year, and how to move forward into the new year ready for success. Specifically, this program covers:

Post-Covid what have we learned from a financial perspective? What have we seen?

• Increased opportunity for savings? 
• More acutely aware of budgeting?
• Rising interest rates impacting credit card and mortgage debt?
• Student loan relief?
• Need for more housing - rental and purchase.

Where do want to go financially in the new year?

• Retirement savings - identifying when to begin.
• More creative ways to add secondary income.
• Financial diversification?
• Identifying more available supportive services via our partners.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

The latest Stand By Me Podcast features Jude Liszkiewicz and Karen Summa, two long-time coaches with the Stand By Me program. On this program, they dispel a number of myths about credit, and also define a number of common financial terms. Come learn from these two highly-experienced coaches!

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

The latest Stand By Me Podcast features Dinette Rivera, the Lead Trainer for the Stand By Me program. Ms. Rivera is a University of Delaware (U.D.) Customized Learning Solutions Instructor.  She is a U.D. Certified Financial Coach Trainer and Certified Financial Coach.  Ms. Rivera has trained hundreds of Financial Coaches for the Stand by Me Financial Coaching Program since it's inception over ten years ago.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

The latest Stand By Me Podcast features Kevin Gilmore, CEO, and Heather Barony, COO of Sussex County Habitat for Humanity, to discuss Stand By Me's partnership with Sussex County Habitat for Humanity, how that partnership serves the needs of residents of Sussex County, the importance of housing security in fostering a safe and healthy community, and some of the factors impacting people's ability to purchase a home in today's economy.

Founded in 1991 as an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity international, Sussex County Habitat for Humanity has served over 2,500 individuals throughout Sussex County through home construction and preservation, home repairs, financial literacy and energy efficient upgrades.

Each year SCHFH brings together thousands of volunteers and community members to become part of the solution to Sussex County’s affordable housing need. To date, Sussex County Habitat has built or rehabbed and sold over 160 homes.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

April is National Fair housing Month.

The latest Stand By Me Podcast features Denise Freeman, Community Services Director, and Ron Sudler, Stand By Me Coach, from NCALL to discuss the importance of fair housing, the longstanding partnership between NCALL and United Way of Delaware, and how the Stand By Me program helps NCALL fulfill on its mission.

NCALL is a nonprofit organization based in Dover, Delaware, that specializes in affordable housing development, education and lending.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

March is National Credit Awareness Month. In today's world,  so much of our ability to accomplish our financial goals requires good credit. Joining us for today's podcast is Jude Liskiewicz and Manoj Philip, two Stand By Me coaches who work closely with individuals to access their credit reports, understand factors that affect their credit scores, and ways to improve those scores over time. 
 
Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

Thanks to a new alliance between Barclays Bank and United Way of Delaware, Delaware minority-owned-and-operated small businesses may now be eligible to receive free financial coaching and business support services aimed at helping grow their business revenue as much as 20%.

This podcast features a conversation with Naya Boulden and Terrence Wiggins, 2 business owners participating in the Minority Small Business Program, and Steve Johnson, their Stand By Me Coach. Listen in to learn more about the nature of the coach / participant relationship, and how this program has helped Naya and Terrence's businesses.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

This episode features Kathleen Rupert and Geri Huss from the Stand By Me 50+ program, to discuss senior scams and how individuals can learn to identify how to spot scams, how to protect themselves, what to do if they feel they're being targeted, and what to do if they have been the victim of a scam. 
 
Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Stand By Me 50+ program provides information, resources and support to increase the economic stability of Delawareans age 50 and older. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

This episode features Laura Gendreau and Karen Summa from Stand By Me, in a discussion about the 2021 Enhanced Child Tax Credit. Changes to the program this year provide families with extra funds each month through the end of 2021 along with a tax break next year. Laura and Karen discuss details of the program including eligibility requirements and where to find out more information, and they also present strategies to best utilize the additional funds available to families and households. 
 
Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

This two-part episode celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Stand By Me program, by featuring interviews with key individuals who helped to launch the program, their reflections on the early years, the evolution of the program, what's behind its enduring success, and their hopes for the future.

On this episode we're joined by Stand By Me founder Mary Dupont, and some of the key individuals who helped during the launch and early years of the program including Paul Calistro and Jude Liszkiewicz of West End Neighborhood House, and former members of the Stand By Me staff team including Izzy Mead, and Sharikka "Shay" Frisby.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

This episode focuses on Stand By Me's partnership with Service Source, a Delaware nonprofit organization with a mission to facilitate services and partnerships that support people with disabilities, their families, their caregivers, and community members in order to build more inclusive communities. On the program, Maria Luna-Medina, a Certified Financial Coach & SSA Benefit Counselor, CWIC, discusses the history and nature of the partnership, and the many benefits it provides to Delaware's disability community.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

This two-part episode celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Stand By Me program, by featuring interviews with key individuals who helped to launch the program, their reflections on the early years, the evolution of the program, what's behind its enduring success, and their hopes for the future. 

Today we're joined by The Honorable Jack Markell, former Governor of the State of Delaware, and Michelle Taylor, President and CEO of The United Way of Delaware, who each share their perspective on Stand By Me. 

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

Today we're joined by Donna Snyder-White from United Way of Delaware and Adam Ahmad of Barclays Bank to discuss Stand By Me's Minority Small Business Program. Thanks to a new alliance between Barclays Bank and United Way of Delaware, Delaware minority-owned-and-operated small businesses may now be eligible to receive free financial coaching and business support services aimed at helping grow their business revenue as much as 20%.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

Today we're joined by Stand By Me coaches Karen Summa and Manoj Philip, in a discussion about the pandemic, how their customers are managing through hardship and uncertainty, money saving tips through this holiday season, resources that are currently available, and how to best plan for 2021 and beyond.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

This episode focuses outside the immediate Stand By Me universe, and onto the Tech Impact / IT Works programs.  Tech Impact is a nonprofit whose mission is to empower communities and nonprofits to use technology to better serve our world. The IT Works program prepares young adults for IT careers, without the need for a degree.

Joining us on this episode are Tracey Mulveny, Carla Markell, and Orrin White to discuss Tech Impact and IT Works, how they benefit the Wilmington, DE community, how interested individuals can participate, and how the program mission aligns with Stand By Me's goals of financial empowerment for Delawareans.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

This episode continues our focus on the Stand By Me NexGen program, which offers two programs to high school students to help them imagine their future lifestyle, and then access the funds that will help them achieve it via higher education: “College, Careers, and Cash” and “The College Funding Project.”

Joining us on this episode are Michelle Murphy from Indian River School District, and aQuena Simon-Irby from Middletown High School. Each shares their perspective on how the Stand By Me NexGen programs integrate with their schools' existing student support programs, and some of the benefits that students and families receive as a result.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

This two-part episode will feature the Stand By Me NexGen program, which offers two programs to high school students to help them imagine their future lifestyle, and then access the funds that will help them achieve it via higher education: “College, Careers, and Cash” and “The College Funding Project.”

This episode features Cory Dunt and Camille Moman, and focuses on College, Careers, and Cash – An interactive program for ninth and tenth grade students that connects the dots between education, careers, finances, and lifestyle. 

Last weeks episode focused on the College Funding Project - a program to help students access funds via grants and scholarships to pay for college - with special emphasis on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

This two-part episode will feature the Stand By Me NexGen program, which offers two programs to high school students to help them imagine their future lifestyle, and then access the funds that will help them achieve it via higher education: “College, Careers, and Cash” and “The College Funding Project.”

This episode features Sally Coonin and Candace Kinard, and focuses on the College Funding Project - a program to help students access funds via grants and scholarships to pay for college - with special emphasis on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The second part of this two-part episode will focus on College, Careers, and Cash – An interactive program for ninth and tenth grade students that connects the dots between education, careers, finances, and lifestyle. 

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

Stand By Me 50+: Information about the Stand By Me® 50+ program - what it offers, what resources are available, typical coach/customer relationship structures, success stories, and more.

Featuring a discussion with Kathleen Rupert and Nanci Glindmyer with the Stand By Me® program.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

This two-part episode will feature the Stand By Me Home program, and will explore the relationship between Sarah Cha Cha, Program Manager and Coach with the Stand By Me Home Program – and three of her customers – Anthony, Brooke, and Dan - who are each in varying stages of buying a home.

In the first part we got to know each of the customers, and talked about their journey toward buying a home.

 In the second part, today’s program, we dig a little deeper into the specifics of coach / customer relationship – how and why it works well, building trust, aspects that have made the relationships successful, and some of the steps along the way.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

Support the show (https://uwd1.unitedwayepledge.org/epledge/comm/SinglePageRegPledge.jsp)

Support the show (https://uwd1.unitedwayepledge.org/epledge/comm/SinglePageRegPledge.jsp)

This two-part episode will feature the Stand By Me Home program, and will explore the relationship between Sarah Cha Cha, Program Manager and Coach with the Stand By Me Home Program – and three of her customers – Anthony, Brooke, and Dan - who are each in varying stages of buying a home.

In the first part – today’s program, we explore Stand By Me Home, get to know each of the customers, talk about the unique experience of buying a home during the Coronavirus pandemic, explore the initial stages of the coaching relationship, and look at the end result of where each of the customers are now.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

Support the show (https://uwd1.unitedwayepledge.org/epledge/comm/SinglePageRegPledge.jsp)

Working With Customers on Budgeting and Saving: Two coaches from the Stand By Me® program discuss their relationships with their customers, the importance of budgeting and saving, and working with their customers to reach their individual financial goals.

Featuring a discussion with Manoj Philip and Mirna Jenkins with the Stand By Me® program.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

Stand By Me is a unique Public / Private Partnership between The United Way of Delaware and The State of Delaware. This episode discusses how Stand by Me fits into the larger picture of United Way of Delaware's mission, the nature and benefit of the partnership with the State of Delaware, the tangible impacts of the program, and how Stand By Me is positioned to help the community during and after the COVID-19 crisis.

Featuring a discussion with Michelle Taylor, President and CEO of The United Way of Delaware, and Ray Fitzgerald, The Director of The Delaware Division of Social Services.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.