Oct 1, 2009 7:51 pm US/Eastern
BankAtlantic To Help Homeless Become Homeowners
Nicole Maristany
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
It's a situation anyone could find themselves in; losing your job or poor money management can leave a person steps away from homelessness. It's a place Ron McDonald, a father of three, found himself in just a couple of years ago.
"I will tell you as a man and not being able to provide for my family, I felt ashamed," said McDonald. "Today you can have it all and tomorrow it can all go away, especially with the economy how it is today."
While living at a local shelter with his family, Ron learned about BankAtlantic's "Homeless to Homeowner" program.
"For every dollar that I saved I got two dollars," said McDonald, "That was the down payment of this house."
After two years of saving and attending financial literacy workshops, Ron was ready to buy his first home.
"From homeless to homeowner, from hopeless to hopeful, the "Homeless to Homeowner" program is dear to our hearts because it tells that people can survive and what people can achieve and this is the program that we are most proud of" said Marcia Barry Smith, Executive Director of the BankAtlantic Homeless to Homeowner program.
McDonald added, "Bank Atlantic first time home buyer program, it is the ABC to getting yourself back up from where you are."
And buying his first home was something that Ron was proud to show his family he could do.
"I hope that my children see me getting up everyday, going to work, coming home and spending time with them" said McDonald.
Buying a home was more than an accomplishment for Ron, it was a chance to build himself back up again.
"The self-esteem building that takes place in the Homeless to Homeowner program is just as important as all the other composites that we put towards this. So the next time you hear that someone was homeless think there but for the grace of God go I," said Barry Smith.
If you would like to learn more about the home buying programs, give Neighbors 4 Neighbors a call at
(305) 597-4404.
Neighbors 4 Neighbors also announced Thursday that BankAtlantic has agreed to be their new underwriter. N4N said they are excited about a partnership with BankAtlantic because it will allow them to continue sharing stories and working in the community helping those in need.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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