Copyright © 2006 NLThomas
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News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2006 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Cherokee Nation is currently accepting applications for the Individual Development Account (IDA) and the Youth IDA (YIDA) Account programs. Both programs are designed to help working individuals and currently enrolled students save money to achieve their financial goals and to teach them how to make good financial decisions and become financially literate. Through the programs, Cherokee IDA matches every $1 an individual saves with a matching donation ranging from $1 to $3.“Helping our citizens become more self-sufficient is one of our primary goals,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith. “This program is a great way to help our citizens learn how to be successful within a budget.”
“The IDA program is an asset-building program designed to assist tribal citizens in exercising sovereignty through the wise acquisition and management of assets like homes, businesses, and further education,” said Gina Martinez, Cherokee Nation IDA coordinator.
To enroll in the IDA program, participants must meet income guidelines, have a Certificate Degree of Indian Blood card (CDIB) from a federally recognized tribe or a Cherokee Nation tribal membership card, a regular source of earned income, and live within the Cherokee Nation's 14-county jurisdictional area. Once enrolled, participants are required to deposit $30 per month into a designated savings account for 24 months and to complete 12 hours of financial training. Participants may elect a savings goal from four designated areas: higher education, first-time home purchase, home rehabilitation or small business start-up. Upon completion of the two-year program, Cherokee Nation will match the participant's savings with $2 for every $1 the participant has saved and with $3 for every $1 saved if the participant is saving to purchase a first home.
Cherokee Nation will host IDA enrollment sessions in Tahlequah, Wagoner and Stilwell for those interested in enrolling in either savings program. The enrollment session in Tahlequah will be held on Tuesday, February 21, at 6 p.m., in the Cherokee Nation Bid Center, located in Room 117 behind the Restaurant of the Cherokees in the tribal complex, three miles south of Tahlequah on Hwy. 62. The enrollment session in Wagoner will be held on Monday, February 27, at 6 p.m., in the Wagoner ARVEST Bank building, 1000 South Gertrude. The enrollment session in Stilwell will be held on Tuesday, February 28, at 6 p.m., in the Cherokee Nation sub-office located at the corner of 3d and Oak streets behind the Stilwell Post Office.
For more information or for an application for the Cherokee Nation IDA program, please contact Gina Martinez, phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2834), or 800-256-0671 (ext.2834).
| Related Cherokee Nation contact information: |
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Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |