Yenni from Los Angeles Acosta still remembers the moment of despair that she and her husband, Omar Acosta, experienced when they both lost their jobs at the beginning of the COVID pandemic – 19.
Not many options to get another Seeing the high need of their Laguna Hills, Orange County neighbors for grocery items, the couple opted to place ads on Facebook to offer to run errands and drive them home.
“We did not charge them, only what they wanted to give us as tips,” said Acosta. “We would stand in lines for two or three hours at Costco, we would go with masks to protect ourselves. We bought toilet paper, hand sanitizer and asked who wanted. ”
Acosta began to receive calls constantly. His main clientele consisted of seniors and those with pre-existing conditions.
But because people got complicated with Acosta’s last name and how to spell his first name, she facilitated it by telling them to call her only “Angel.”
And then the phrase of “Just call Angel” (just call Angel) came out for any request they needed.
Acosta and her husband were like this for a few months while both looked for more options to pay their expenses, the rent of the home and the maintenance of their three children.
As time went by, the Colombian of 37 began to plan Another way to earn income, especially at the beginning of the year when orders for errands dropped significantly after places began to reopen.
Time to reinvent yourself
While Acosta was looking for options, he came across a finance workshop offered by the United Way organization, a network in charge of improving people’s quality of life by creating paths out of poverty.
He immediately enrolled in the program that offered a workshop on finances of 13 weeks duration.
Acosta, who has back problems, said he had to make sure he created an employment plan that would offer him income without further affecting his health. To do this, he needed to know how to manage his money properly.
That is how he came up with the idea of starting his own clothing line called “Just call Ángel”.
“I realized that here people like to dress casual but functional,” said the Colombian who came to the United States with her family three years ago. “I contacted a designer and started my first collection that is inspired by California. ”
He said that in the finance workshop they taught him everything, from the educational part of finance to how to obtain his permits, legal name of the business and the paperwork he had to do with the Department of Internal Revenue (IRS).
“Right now we are just waiting for the first clothing line to arrive,” said Acosta.
She indicated that there are many people who want to start a business but do not know how and are afraid
to ask.
“But it is not difficult, here either with Social Security or with ITIN number permits can be obtained,” he explained.
Finance Workshop
Leslie Prado, supervisor of the United Way finance program, said that this program is designed for residents of South Orange County who have been affected by the COVID pandemic – 19.
“If your home is not stable or you are not financially stable, the program basically it connects them with services or resources that otherwise they would not have obtained, ”Prado said.
The supervisor said that they become like a financial coach for the participants depending on which is the objective of each one.
“We teach them about their budget, how to increase savings, pay off debts, and we understand that 12 weeks is a short time, but everything that can be done is surprising, ”said Prado.
Those people who want continue their enrichment are directed to obtain assistance in another training of 12 to 18 months.
“We are basically a stepping stone to help them get started on their financial goals, whatever they may be,” she said.
The supervisor said that when they talk to participants about setting a budget, They not only inform them how to increase their savings or reduce their debt, but they also begin to set aside some money for whatever they want. Whether opening a business, a restaurant, or starting a clothing line like Acosta did.
“It’s fantastic what [Acosta] has been able to do in such a short time” , said Prado.
“Clients in general are working families who want to get ahead, want to be well, want to have savings and most importantly, care about the success of education of the children, and they understand that it is very difficult to do it if they are unstable. ”
Currently the program is only available to residents of South Orange County such as Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach , Dana Point, Laguna Hills and San Juan Capistrano. The goal is to serve 100 families per year divided into four groups.
“We are in the middle of group number two and we currently have 29 registered participants, ”Prado said.
Group number three begins in July and there are still spaces available until reaching a maximum of 30 people.
Once the limit is reached the remaining people are put on a waiting list for the grouping
number four.
For more information or to register you can call 1 (949) 263 – 6131 or send an email to
u4fs@unitedwayoc.org