This week Dr. Robert E. Zeigler, President of San Antonio College, and Dennis J. Campa, Director of the San Antonio Department of Community Initiatives, signed a partnership agreement to help low-income individuals and families establish a matched savings account (Individual Development Account) to fund post-secondary education or home ownership. District 1 City Council Member Roger O. Flores gave his support to the partnership at the signing ceremony.

"We are very pleased to join the City of San Antonio in creating opportunities for people to reach their educational and home ownership goals," said President Zeigler.

In partnership with the SAC Women's Center, coordinated by Dr. Helen Vera, the city will provide opportunities for qualified individuals to participate in the city's Individual Development Account (IDA) Program, which provides a 4 to 1 match of up to $3,000, with a maximum contribution of $750 by participants.

Among the individuals to be targeted for enrollment will be participants in the SAC Women's Center Connections Program, a self-sufficiency training program, as well as low-income single parents and adult re-entry populations. The Connections Program trains low-income students for medical administration assistant positions and has helped more than 200 women achieve self-sufficiency since the program began.

The SAC Women's Center will provide information and assist with applications. An orientation session and financial literacy classes are required. On completion of the program, participants will have savings of up to $3,750 to use for post-secondary education or first-time home ownership.

For more information, call Margarita B. Leza, San Antonio Department of Community Initiatives, at 207-6563 or Dr. Helen Vera, Coordinator of the SAC Women's Center, at 733-2299.