Adeline and Demus have been long term affiliates with WSCAT. Since 2017, each of them have taken almost every class WSCAT has to offer including financial education, homeownership education, and small business education. They have also participated in the IDA programs for business, home renovation, and vehicles. 

Erica Parra first heard about the IDA program in 2016, when she enrolled in college. She thought it was too good to be true, but enrolled and saved for school, while taking WSCAT’s financial education class. 

Farrell first got involved with WSCAT in 2014 through the IDA program. After  purchasing a home, she was not involved with the organization for many years.  In 2024, Farrell became involved in WSCAT again through the workforce development  program. After spending 20 years providing oral health care at IHS, she was ready for something  new.

Hayden first heard about the IDA program while participating in the financial education class for Native seniors at Madras High School. He was about to graduate and needed a car to get back and forth to college.

Juanita first became involved with WSCAT in 2019, when she needed a new car. Since then, she has enrolled in an IDA to pay down her debt.

Kiahna and Julia both began working with WSCAT in 2023 as part of our youth workforce program. They came to the program interested in kayaking and a strong desire to take what they have learned to teach others about traditional waterways, whitewater kayak skills, and Native languages.

Joy joined our small business class in 2021 with the hope of being able to start a business that would help get her kids through sports. As a mother of five and an enrolled tribal  member in Warm Springs, she wanted to stay close to home. 

Sasha first became involved with the Warm Springs Community Action Team (WSCAT) the summer before her senior year of high school. She participated in our summer workforce program as a barista at Painted Pony Espresso.

Sierra was talking to the manager of Twisted Teepee one day, when she was told about the IDA program. She needed transportation to take her son to elementary school and applied for the IDA program.

Waylon joined WSCAT in 2021 to save for an IDA to help cover his costs of education. After saving for a couple of years, he was able to use his funds to help cover his costs of tuition and books at Central Oregon Community  College (COCC). He is currently a college student seeking a bachelor's degree through OSU Cascades in art, media, and technology.