The Next 30 Years: Patty’s IDA Journey

If you could do anything with the next 30 years of your life, what would you choose? Patty Herndon found herself staring at that very question, wondering if it was truly possible to start fresh.

Patty came to NeighborWorks Salt Lake at a crossroads between her past and a new vision for her future. With a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry, she had built a steady, 15-year career in a laboratory. But when she became a mother, she chose to hit pause, dedicating herself to raising her children with the presence and nurturing she knew they deserved.

Patty Herndon

When she was finally ready to return to the workforce, she met an unexpected wall. Despite nearly two decades of high-level experience, employers turned her away, claiming her skills were "out of date."

Patty’s struggle is a reality for many women across the nation, particularly in Utah. The "motherhood penalty" is a documented hurdle; research shows that childless women receive 2.1 times more callbacks than equally qualified mothers with a resume gap. Faced with a field that no longer recognized her value, Patty decided to stop looking backward and start reclaiming her path. She looked to the strength she honed as a single mother: her dedication to providing a home built on acceptance. Her new vision became clear—she would become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

In 2024, Patty’s path crossed with Katee Hansen, our Homeownership Manager, who introduced her to the Individual Development Account (IDA) Program. This program offers a 2:1 matched savings opportunity; for every dollar a participant saves, NeighborWorks Salt Lake matches it double.

While the financial match was the catalyst, it was the mentorship of Cencira that kept the momentum alive. As Patty’s IDA mentor, Cencira provided more than just technical guidance; she was a constant source of hope and positivity. Cencira helped Patty stay on track, reminding her about her goal.

Patty recently completed the program, turning her $1,000 investment into $3,000 through the support of caring individuals and corporations. For Patty, this wasn't just a savings account—it was the "leg-up" she needed to bridge the gap between her old career and her new calling.

“Saving wasn’t difficult,” Patty shared, crediting both her self-taught resilience and the steady encouragement from the NeighborWorks team. She knew she deserved a career that matched her heart, and she wasn't afraid to accept the support that made it possible.

At NeighborWorks Salt Lake, we believe that every neighbor has the potential for a "second act." Through the IDA program and the dedicated mentorship of people like Cencira, we didn’t just match dollars for Patty—we are invested in the next 30 years of a her life.