NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — The ‘Ladies and Men in the Making’ mentoring group are learning essential life lessons like how write a resume, how to buy a car, and now — how to buy a home.
The group of Heritage High School juniors and seniors had a chance to tour a condominium listing, then hear from several guest speakers Tuesday.
Terrie Branch, a realtor with CRS Realty Group powered by Coldwell Banker Premier, organized the ‘Future Homeownership 101 for High-School Students Workshop.’
“It’s important to me because the kids are our future,” Branch said. “We need to pour into them now, so they can be the future for the next generation. It’s very important to me for them to understand that it’s not just homeownership, it’s wealth building.”
Branch, along with Monique Claytor, lead of CRS Realty Group, shared tips with the Hurricanes.
“One of our missions is to get in early, try to get into the high schools and even the middle schools,” Branch said. “To educate them on the importance of keeping up with their credit [score] and encourage them, [saying], ‘Hey buy a house instead of renting.'”
Branch reached out to Heritage High School counselor Tarri Jones to offer the workshop to students.
Senior and student-athlete Derrick Gurley Jr. plans to attend college in the fall.
“I’m deciding between three colleges, getting recruited right now to play football,” Gurley Jr. said. “I’m going to study to be a mental health counselor.”
Gurley said the Homeownership 101 workshop was “informative.”
“I’m very grateful for them,” Gurley said. “I appreciate it very much [especially] Mrs. Jones. She allows us to go everywhere. She shows us everything that we need to know to be prepared after college or wherever we go next.”
Raysean Williams plans to attend college out-of-state to study fashion.
“I feel like it [had] a big impact on us,” Williams said. “Just for the simple fact a lot of [students] don’t understand how serious it is about to get [after] high school.”
Williams explained that he already has his own clothing brand called ‘We are Captured.’
“The goal is to be a fashion designer and then look start more businesses,” Williams said, “especially home buying … to further my finances and to help my mother [and] my family.”
Linds Property Inspections offered two students a scholarship to attend a trade school at no cost.
To learn more about the scholarship call (757) 270-1817.
