Home matters

Editor's note: This is the ninth in a series of stories with an introduction from Nancy Jernigan at the United Way highlighting volunteers and agencies who are active in or funded by the United Way of Southeast Missouri. To get involved, visit the United Way online at www.unitedwayofsemo.org, at its offices at 430A Broadway or by phone at 334-9634.

The 4-Sight Counseling organization has a twofold focus: housing counseling and mental health counseling. Following a housing needs assessment in our area, it was determined that a pressing need was moving families and individuals from rental properties to homeownership in adequate and affordable housing. Soon after the assessment was complete, 4-Sight Counseling opened its doors to take on this task.

Staff at this counseling center set out to work with low-income families willing to help themselves change their way of life and improve their living conditions. Soon after the economic crisis began, many area residents were facing foreclosure, and 4-Sight was able to provide another valuable service -- keeping people in their homes.

Through maximizing employability skills and helping individuals and families establish savings plans, 4-Sight has been able to help turn lives around and create stability within families that homeownership provides. The agency can be reached at 334-7995.

Loretta Kincaid has been with 4-Sight Counseling since its inception in 2005. The Southeast Missouri native lives in Shawneetown and directs programs in 14 counties in the area.

Why do you think 4-Sight is important?

Many people would not necessarily be in their current situation if they were able to understand the economics of homeownership and general budgeting. Some clients are in their bad situation due to no actions of their own -- job loss, pay reductions, etc. The overall economy would not be in the shape it is in if homeowners were able to understand what homeownership entails and the health and stability of their own financial situation. I will not say that people intentionally overextended themselves; they did not. However, because of some of their decisions, they have become overextended.

We are also getting ready to receive funds from the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) which will allow us to purchase, renovate and resell homes in some areas of Cape. This program is income driven and clients must meet the income guidelines to qualify for this program. It will also offer down payment and closing costs assistance. This is an exciting program and will serve several people who otherwise would not be able to afford a home.

How are United Way and 4-Sight connected?

United Way has been instrumental in assisting us with getting the word out about our services. The United Way has been a major ambassador for our services and the things we have been able to accomplish in the area. Their support has been wonderful and how they have endorsed our services. They have also provided us with a grant for $10,000 for Individual Development Accounts, which allows us to work with folks in assisting them in saving for their future, a life changing event, i.e. new home, college, energy-efficient big-ticket items in their house. We have allocated $1,000 match to the client savings account, which provides us with a target of 10 people this year. We work with them on budgeting, and general savings of their own money in their own account and we can match up to $1,000. United Way understands and embraces our philosophy of the need to save and good financial health means a more stable and health family. This is the second year we have been funded for the IDA program.

Do you also volunteer? If so, where and why?

I volunteer with the United Way any time they need me. Their phrase of Live United is not just a catch phrase. It is their philosophy. I respect how dedicated the United Way is to our community and the needs of our citizens.

How do you think working with 4-Sight has changed/affected you?

4-Sight has two basic tenets about clients: 1. "People do the best they can with what they know" and 2. "You cannot resolve problems with the same level of thinking that created them." These two philosophies have really put a focus on my ability to work with clients. They come in with a level of thinking and a way of working through problems that has not worked for them. My challenge is to elevate their level of thinking and getting them to look at the situation (problem) in a different way. Then we can move forward and their situation can have a positive outcome. Sometimes they need education and different ways to think about things.

Understand that we are here to help people. We do mental health counseling and provide housing counseling services. Many have contacted us, and when we explain that we are a HUD approved agency and our services for foreclosure prevention are free, they get very skeptical. We want the public to understand that we are here to help in very important areas of their lives, mental health and housing.