Meet our June $1000 Winner

“It was a blessing to know that I had Fund My Future’s support to encourage me to continue to save during the pandemic. Now that we’ve won, it made a huge difference in our future.” —Ms. Shawntae Haywood

Ms. Shawntae Haywood joined Fund My Future in July 2019 while attending a family night program at the Hill District Westley Center Afterschool Program. There were a variety of community vendors in attendance but for some reason, Fund My Future caught her attention. As she made her way over to the bright green table, she was greeted by Ms.Toni Corinealdi, the FMF Outreach Director. After listening to the very passionate presentation she immediately signed up because she wanted to save for her son Anthony who was 6 years old at the time.

A week after joining, she received a reminder phone call from Ms. Corinealdi and they discussed the various options of starting Anthony’s savings account. She decided to go with the Hill District Federal Credit Union located in her community. When she opened her son’s account and made the first deposit, the feeling of completion was indescribable. Now all she had to do was make monthly deposits of which she made sure was at least $5.

Everything seemed to be going perfectly. She was making her deposits, checking her raffle ticket but then all of a sudden the COVID-19 Pandemic hit, and everything shut down. Because of a statewide stay-at-home order, she could not leave her home. She was saddened by this and thought that Fund My Future had shut down and chalked everything up as a loss. But then she heard a “ding” on her phone, it was an email from Fund My Future with a SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT REPORT. She listened intensely as Ms. Corinealdi announced that Fund My Future was operating. There was a new promotion called “New Ways to Win” that allowed Ms. Haywood to participate by submitting monthly Fund My Future photos. She immediately followed the directions and took advantage of the opportunity.

Although she didn’t win during the 3-month promotion, she stayed engaged with the program. When the stay-at-home order was lifted, she returned to her credit union to continue making deposits. On July 1, she received an email message: “You are holding a Winning Ticket”. Ms. Haywood was excited. She finally won! She was informed that she was a $1000 Winner. Filled with excitement, she completed the survey. Shortly after, she received her check for $500 and established a PA529 College Savings Plan for her son. With the additional $500, she plans to use it to assist with her daycare business.

Ms. Haywood is no stranger to saving and winning. In April of 2020, she enrolled in Pittsburgh Saves, which she heard about through Fund My Future, and won $200. Her most recent savings consisted of her enrolling her young daughter into Keystone Scholars and receiving $100 towards college savings.

Ms. Haywood feels great knowing that both her children have a future ahead of them and Fund My Future is helping to make it possible.

Meet our $1000 Partner Recipient

It’s never too late to share some good news. Back in November 2019, Fund My Future held the “Spirit of Giving” Promotion, where Fund My Future donated matched winnings to a non-profit organization of the winner’s choice? Well, here’s what happened when Tracy Copeland won $1000 from making her November deposit.

Ms. Copeland was our $1000 November Winner and she chose to donate her matched winnings of $1000 to Save A Life Today Pittsburgh (S.A.L.T) a nonprofit organization founded by Executive Director, Sister Mary Williams. S.A.L.T offers a broad range of services from free dental care, eye care, and free glasses. They also host back to school drives, food giveaways, and family engagements.

Sister Mary Williams was excited and grateful to FMF for hosting the unique promotion. Her exact words in reference to her organization receiving the $1000, “It came at a wonderful time!”. Every year S.A.L.T hosts a Christmas program that accommodates over 700 families from McKees Rocks and surrounding communities. Families come together to interact with other families and exchange gifts.

We are happy that Ms.Copeland gifted her winnings to a local organization that helps families.

For more information about S.A.L.T contact Sister Mary Williams at 412-712-4044 or visit their Facebook page at Save a Life Today Pittsburgh.

Our Commitment to Racial & Social Equity

To show our support towards racial & social equity there will be an additional $1000 up for grabs in July and August! Please click here to read more.

The PA Savings Pledge

Do you live in Pennsylvania and have a child born after December 2018? If the answer is yes, did you know you are eligible for $100?  Call 800-440-4000 to find out more about Keystone Scholars or visit the website at www.PA529.com.

Meet a few June $50 Winners!

Photo 1 – Nikksa Morris, East Liberty FSC
Photo 2 – Kristi Lindemuth, First Commonwealth Bank
Photo 3 – Amy Salovin, Keystone Scholars

COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS

PITT ENRICHED SATURDAY TUTORING
Click Here for info on how to sign up for Saturday Tutoring

CATALYST ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
Click Here for information about Catalyst Academy

COMMUNITY VIRTUAL JOB FAIR
Click Here for information about Homewood Childcare Alliance Job Fair
Click Here for information about HCCA Job Fair

TRYING TOGETHER RESOURCEs
https://tryingtogether.org/coronavirus-covid-19/  (daily update news post)

CARNEGIE LIBRARY
Click Here for info about Carnegie Library Programs

ALLEGHENY COUNTY FAMILY SUPPORT CENTERS & PARTNERS
Click Here for Daily Children Activities – August 3-7

HOMEWOOD CHILDREN’S VILLAGE
Click Here for AmeriCorps recruitment information

GWEN’S GIRLS
Click Here for FREE Summer Tutoring Sessions

CENTER OF LIFE COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Click Here for COL updates to their community website

IMPORTANT CENSUS INFO
Click Here to read more

ADDITIONAL CENSUS INFO   The Census is still continuing at this time! Please help us to encourage everyone to participate in the process. Individuals can answer their Census form online at my2020Census.gov, over the phone (1-844-330-2020 for English speakers, visit https://2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond/responding-by-phone.html for additional languages), or by returning the form mailed to them in April. The self-response period has been extended to the end of October, 2020. In-person operations and door knocking should begin later this summer. 

OTHER INFO
Click Here for updated COVID-19 Information and Resources

Virtual Parent Meeting

Parents can now schedule a one-on-one virtual Zoom meeting to address any Fund My Future needs. Simply contact Ms. Corinealdi at 833-SAVEWIN (728-3946)