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February 5, 2010
596

Nearly two years ago, the Utter family, of Dover, was in a situation that many area families can identify withthey needed to buy a good used van but didnt have the necessary financial resources to make the purchase. Thankfully, a relative suggested the Pathways to Work car loan program at Personal & Family Counseling Services. Since its beginning in January 2001, the program has helped 477 families purchase reliable vehicles. When their old van needed extensive repairs, Steve and Jenny Utter knew they couldnt trust the vehicle to transport their family of four, with sons Reese (6) and Tristan (4), safely. At the time, the Utters did not qualify for an auto loan through conventional financing, and they borrowed vehicles to get by. But their travel challenges ended when their sister-in-law told them about a program that helps families secure loans for vehicle purchases. Within a short period of time they became the proud owners of a used Chrysler Town and Country van with the help of loan coordinator Fred Weingarth, of the Pathways to Work car loan program. Steve Utter said the application process was really quick and easy, thanks to Weingarths help in setting up a two-year loan for the couple with affordable, monthly payments. Weingarth also inspected the vehicle and helped negotiate the purchase price. All we had to do was show up and sign the papers, explained Steve. He (Weingarth) took care of everything. At the time, we needed the help. (Without his help) we never could have gotten a vehicle this nice. Now, nearly two years later, the Utters look forward to paying off the loan within two months, and their van continues to run reliably. Having a safe vehicle is important since Jenny, a stay-at-home mom, is expecting the couples third child this spring, and Steve depends upon the van to transport him to work at Progressive Foam Technology at Beach City. For his part, Weingarth said he has met many very nice people like the Utters during the nine years of the programs existence. His favorite part of the job is accompanying families to pick up their new vehicles. The families are very excited, he shared. They have a vehicle that is theirs. They no longer have to rely on others to get to work, shopping, doctors, etc. Funded through grants from the federal Department of Transportation and the Ohio Department of Transportation, the Pathways to Work car loan program works with Huntington Bank of New Philadelphia to provide a two-year loan at an eight percent interest rate for up to $3,000. Approved applicants must purchase vehicles from a dealership or used car lot. The area dealers are all very familiar with the program and provide cars that are of higher value than the price the client is purchasing it for, noted Weingarth. In some cases, we have paid $3,000 for vehicles that have a Kelly Blue Book value of up to $7,000. To be eligible, applicants must be residents of Tuscarawas County, have a valid Ohio drivers license, be the custodial parent of a child 18 or younger, have worked for six continuous months at a minimum of 20 hours per week, and have exhausted all conventional loan resources. Some clients have had past credit problems, and this program gives them an opportunity to help repair their credit, he stated. The program has been very successful. The repayment rate for the program is greater than 95 percent. To apply for help from the Pathways to Work car loan program or to obtain more information, call Weingarth at Personal & Family Counseling Services at 330-343-8171, ext. 242 or e-mail him at pfcswtw@pfcs1.org.

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