Siretha & Deanna’s Story
Siretha and Deanna are sisters who have been through a lot together. Siretha is the proud mother of 11 children ranging in age from 8 - 28. Two years ago Siretha experienced a major tragedy when her 11 year old daughter was killed by a stray bullet while attending her own birthday party at her Aunt Deanna’s home. Later that same year another tragedy hit when Siretha’s husband passed away.
Now a single mother raising 11 children, Siretha is actively involved in her neighborhood. She and Deanna, who is the mother of 4 children, are concerned abut the future of the children in their community as well as their own. Both sisters want to see that all children have the opportunity to grow to become successful members of society.
With the cost of college rising each year the possibility of affording a post-secondary education becomes further and further out of reach. “I think a savings account would help all of our children” says Deanna, “my older child missed out on college because of finances, I don’t want the younger one to miss out too”. Deanna feels that Children’s Savings Accounts would also help by providing new experiences. “I think a savings account would benefit kids by helping them to get out of the neighborhood and go to a four year college. A lot of kids go to two year colleges because of money and never leave the neighborhood. A four year school would show them that there is something better than this”.
Siretha feels her children would have benefited from a CSA in a different way. Three of her daughters are out on their own and working. One has become a nail technician and two are managers of local stores. “I think if they had a savings account they would have started their own businesses” says Siretha.
Whether through funding a college education, staring a small business or buying a home, Children’s Savings Accounts create new opportunities and brighter, more financially secure futures for all. Siretha and Deanna will continue to work towards creating a better tomorrow for their children and their neighborhood by supporting Children’s Savings Accounts.