Heritage & Horizon
benefited her career. “Concord’s pre-law program did a wonderful job of preparing me to be a successful law school student,” she said. “Graduating with a double major in business and political science has given me an advantage in working in the non-profit world.” Ms. Chipps received a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Thomas M. Cooley Law
School in 2010. Her previous employment has included serving as administrative assistant and clerk with the West Virginia State Legislature, House of Delegates in Charleston, W.Va. and as a clinical extern with the Washtenaw Public Defender’s Clinic in Ann Arbor, Mich. She also worked as an extern with the United States Attorney’s
Office, Northern District of West Virginia in Elkins, W.Va. She is a member of the Michigan Bar Association. Along with enjoying “anything that involves outdoor adventures,” she also volunteers at the Potter Park Zoo.
Making a “As cliché as it sounds, all throughout my education I wanted to find a way to utilize my skills to make a difference in peoples’ lives. Unfortunately, after graduation I struggled to find a way to accomplish this goal. When an opportunity to serve as an AmeriCorps member with the Michigan Foreclosure Prevention Corps came along, I jumped at the chance. My time serving at my host site, Elder Law of Michigan (ELM), has been unique among the other AmeriCorps member sites. While most of these sites are located at established housing counseling programs, I was given the opportunity to help develop and define ELM’s new housing counseling services program from scratch. During my first several months of service there were long hours of planning, education, implementation, and preparation to get our foreclosure prevention counseling program off the ground. Proudly in May of 2012, ELM opened its doors to help homeowners struggling with the foreclosure crisis that has plagued Michigan communities over the past several years. Even within that short period ELM has had success helping some clients through the formation of partnerships with other Non-Profit programs such as the Michigan State Housing Development Authority’s Step Forward program. ELM has also seen situations where there is not a curable solution to a client’s foreclosure situation, and the client must transition to more affordable housing. Currently, most of my time is devoted to client intake and education. No matter what the client’s final foreclosure outcome is, a financial education is one of the most important tools a housing counseling agency can provide a client. Financial education empowers people/clients, giving them the skills necessary to meet future financial goals and rebuild or repair credit history. Participating in developing this housing counseling program and watching what it has grown into has been a truly rewarding experience. On a daily basis I am amazed by the strength and perseverance our clients show during one of the most challenging times of their life. AmeriCorps has inspired me to find a future career that gives back to others. Winston Churchill said it best, ‘You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give.’ ” By Kimberly Chipps
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