Matt Bolinder, assistant banking center manager for Cape Cod 5, was one of three former clients who spoke at our Oysters and Champagne fundraiser.
You may know me as Matt the banker, or most likely as Devan’s husband. What you may not know about me is that growing up, it was just my mom and I, and we struggled financially. Although it was hard, being involved with Housing Assistance – and receiving a Section 8 voucher – felt like winning the lottery. We received every type of support Housing Assistance had to offer. We couldn’t have done it without them.
Matt Bolinder, sharing his story at July’s Oysters & Champagne fundraiser.
At one point we were homeless, and still today I live in fear of my family going through what I did. My core childhood memories include the day at the supermarket that an adult harassed us for having food assistance, calling us “section 8’ers.” At another point, our landlord gave us a 30-day notice to evict because she was selling the house. I was headed home from college with no place to live.
In 2018, in an effort to give back, I began volunteering with Housing Assistance’s Family Self Sufficiency program. We helped clients with budgeting, understanding credit, and much more. We came up with an idea for a credit builder loan program, secured $10k in funding, and saw an average credit score increase of 131 points. The joy in their voices during the process was beyond humbling.
Today I am a proud father, lucky husband, and a grateful homeowner. I have been part of the Big Fix, Telethon, Walk for Hope, and anything else I can offer myself for, all to repay Housing Assistance. I implore you to do the same. When you show up and make a difference in someone’s life, you will be amazed at how you both feel.
