There was a time when working hard and saving money led to money for college, buying a home or opening a family business – the American dream. And while that dream is not as easy to achieve as it once was, United Way is working to keep that dream alive. 

“Saving for the American Dream” is a family savings program that offers free classes on how to manage budgets, how to choose a bank, how to protect your credit, and how to save for your family’s American dream. Through a network of community partners, classes are available throughout Los Angeles County. Our partners also help families to open bank accounts including Individual Development Accounts.

Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) are matched savings accounts that make it possible for low-income families to save, build assets, and enter the financial mainstream. IDAs reward the monthly savings of low-income families who are building towards purchasing an asset – most commonly buying their first home, starting or expanding a small business, or paying for post-secondary education. IDAs make it possible for hard working low-income families to build the financial assets they need to achieve the American Dream.

Read more about our program