These are difficult times for many of us. Jobs are hard to find.

Do you have skills that you could use to earn a living? Have you thought about self-employment? Some of our members have used their skills to become self-employed at painting, window cleaning, carpentry, house cleaning, lawn mowing, snow shoveling, gardening, office cleaning, child care and baby-sitting.

Even if we find work, it can be hard to cover our expenses until we get a paycheck or two. We may have to pay for a uniform, works shoes, tools, licensing or certification, transportation, and childcare – sometimes weeks before we earn enough to pay for these.

Cooperative Federal may be able to help.

We have a special Step Up Loan to help Syracuse residents get started to step up your income. These are low-cost, short-term loans of $2,500 or less.

Step Up borrowers will also participate in one-on-one financial advising that can help in creating a budget, building or repairing your credit, starting an emergency savings fund, or working toward your other financial goals.

Call Thom Dellwo at 315-473-0217 or Kira Crawford at 315-473-0211 to learn more or to get started.

The Loan Capital for the Step Up loans has been provided by the Gifford Foundation.