S&S Development Group NFP participated in Money Smart Week (MSW) Chicago which took place April 20th-April 26th, 2008 throughout the Greater Chicago Metropolitan Area. S&S Development Group NFP provided a free home education workshop which consisted of professionals from Harris Bank, American Family Insurance, and Partnership for Homeownership, Inc educating families on home preparation best practices and community resources that could be leveraged during the home buying process.

Harris Bank representative educates families on requirements community lenders will look for during the home loan process and grants and subsidies that can be used to assist with housing downpayment, closing cost, and repair if needed.

HomePower Realtor educates families on the fiduciary duties of a buyer and seller realtor, asssessing home value, and performing comparative market analysis.

Real estate contract review/execution, escrow protection, and counseling during real estate closing were a few topics Attorney Avalon Betts-Gaston covered in educating families on obtaining legal counseling during the biggest investment in their lives.

American Family Insurance representative educates families on the importance of hazard insurance during the closing process and protecting their dwelling as a home owner.

S&S Development Group NFP participated in IHDA's event to assist homeowners that needed counseling on foreclosure prevention, foreclosure intervention, and homeowners rights within the Bellwood and Maywood communities. SSD volunteers educated families that were behind on their mortgage payments and provided them with referrals to legal aid resources to assist with challenges on keeping their homes. Representatives from various community lending institutions, HUD, state of Illinois, and home counseling agencies all did a magnificant job of reaching out to members of this west suburban community in providing options on preventing foreclosure.

SSD Counselors assist beneficiaries with reviewing documents at IHDA Homeowner Outreach Day

SSD Counselor assists beneficiary with going over mortgage options to prevent foreclosure at IHDA Homeowner Outreach Day

S&S Development Volunteer from Chicago Legal Aid Clinic counsels beneficiary at IHDA Homeowner Outreach Day

S&S Development Group NFP provided an outreach event at a faith-based organization within the Austin community to educate and empower members of the congregation and families within the community on first-time home ownership steps. Community lenders from National City Mortgage educated families on community lending products and grants first-time homebuyers could leverage to assist with down payment, closing costs, and housing repairs. HomePower Realtors educated families on grants provided by Illinois Association of Realtors and HomePower lenders to assist first-homebuyers in obtaining assistance in purchasing their first home. Families were treated to lunch and great information on professional services needed when they are ready to embark on one of the biggest investments in their lives--their home.

Families from Austin Community Boulevard Church and Austin community are educated on community lending products from National City.

Families review first-time homebuyers literature covering down-payment, closing cost, and home repair assistance.

HomePower Realtor educates families on grant and subsidies provided by Illinois Association of Realtors and HomePower Lenders.

S&S Development Group NFP and Kingdom Seekers Ministeries coordinated the first annual community economic empowerment event within the South Lawndale community on November 17th at Brotherly Love Missionary Baptist Church. United Way, Illinois Employment Technical Center, CEDA, Harris Bank, Money Management International were a few of the vendors that shared information about their respective organizations with families at their booths. Families obtained information on services encompassing: job-training/job placement, utilty assistance, pre/post housing counseling, community lending products, ex-offender job training/job placement programs and other services designed to improve the quality of life for families within the Lawndale community. Families were treated to food provided by Robinson's Ribs and gifts provided by each vendor in attendance.

Families obtain information from Citizens Utilies Board representative on utility assistance programs.

Families obtain information from Dawson Technical Institute representative on ex-offender programs.

Mr. Babajide Sobamowo, S&S Development Group NFP founder, Pastor David Pope, Kingdom Seekers Ministeries founder, and Illinois State Representative Arthur Turner enjoy CEEW festivities.

Harris representative shares community lending products offered by Harris Bank and home counseling workshops sessions at S&S Development Group's vendor booth.

United Way (UW) representative shares community services provided by UW and its partnering agencies.

S&S Development Group NFP continues to find ways to assist with lifting families. S&S Development Group NFP provides charitable services not only through financial literacy workshops but through various outreach events in various communities they serve. S&S Development Group NFP participated as one of the exhibitors at the FDIC AEI Financial Service Fair. This event included various community based organizations and community lending institutions committed to improving the quality of life of families within the Austin community and surrounding communities. Over eighty families attended the financial fair in which free credit reports and credit repair workshops were given. Families were able to gain insite to solving financial issues along with additional knowledge that is vital to a first time homeowner before, during and after the initial purchase of their home. S&S Development Group NFP registered over twenty families for their upcoming workshops.

S&S Development staff registers families for upcoming homebuying workshop.

S&S Development volunteer enjoys the financial literacy event within the Austin community.

S&S Development Group, NFP held its first annual Memorial Park Youth Appreciation Event at Gameworks, located in Schamburg, IL on November 2nd, 2007. This event was organized by Memorial Park volunteers and S&S Development Group NFP staff to acknowledge children within the westside and western suburbs that successfully completed extra-curricular activities while performing well in their respective schools. Participants and Memorial Park staff and volunteers were honored at this fun filled gala in Schaumburg, IL. Children and volunteers of Memorial Park were treated to a night filled with food, game, and music. S&S Development Group NFP would like to thank Gameworks for providing a good experience for these young men and their parents.

Memorial Park volunteer and children enjoy the festivities at GameWorks.

Memorial Park volunteer and children share a joking moment at GameWorks.

SSD staff and Memorial Park volunteers and children share a moment at GameWorks.

Memorial Park volunteer and children enjoy games at GameWorks.