Berta was referred to Operation HOPE by Habitat for Humanity in October 2024 with the dream of owning her own home. At that time, it felt like a very distant dream — caring for a close family member with a disability meant she often had to take time off work unpaid. Staying current on her monthly bills was a struggle and it left Berta feeling drained both financially and emotionally.
Everything started to change when Berta was paired with Credit and Money Management Coach Syreeta Burnett.
At the start of their relationship, Berta admitted that saving money wasn’t her strength. “Basically, I had to learn how to save my money, not spend on everything, and make sure I kept up with my credit cards,” she said.
For Berta, Syreeta’s greatest lesson was about setting priorities. “I wanted a car,” Berta recalled, laughing. “She told me, ‘We can’t do that right now. The focus is getting the house. Once you get the house, then you get the car. Let’s focus on one thing at a time.'”
Reining in holiday spending was another opportunity for Syreeta to help Berta keep her eye on the ultimate goal of homeownership. “When Christmas time comes, I like to splurge for my kids,” she admitted. “And she was like, ‘No, no, no — we can’t do that. Make a list so you know exactly what you’re getting and how much you’re spending,'” Berta said.
Every time they met, Syreeta reinforced that message. That steady encouragement helped Berta prioritize her spending. “Because of Syreeta, I’m focused,” she said proudly.
That focus has paid off. With Syreeta’s support, Berta raised her credit score by over 40 points, decreased her revolving debt significantly, and has built an emergency savings of over $1,000 in addition to the downpayment she saved. This new credit score allowed for a higher pre-approval amount of $204,000 which led to Berta’s dream of homeownership becoming a reality: she closes on her new home at the end of the month!
For Berta, the connection with Syreeta has been life changing. “Every time we talk, it’s always good vibes,” she said. “She knows her stuff, and because of her I got better — a whole lot better. She’s amazing.”
Even after reaching her ultimate goal of owning a home, Berta plans to keep working with Syreeta. “I still want to work with her,” she said. “She keeps my priorities straight. I’m always going to need her.”
Berta’s journey is proof that with patience, discipline, and the right guidance, lasting financial change—including homeownership—is possible.
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