A Few Minutes with Maria Aparicio
12.01.2017
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LISC StoriesA Few Minutes with...
Maria Angelica Aparicio, Financial Counselor, North County Lifeline
When Maria Angelica Aparicio first joined AmeriCorps four years ago, she was assigned as a financial coach to North County Lifeline (NCL), a nonprofit human services agency with sites in Vista and Oceanside.
She’s now in her second stint with LISC-supported AmeriCorps, this time serving NCL as its financial counselor.
Founded nearly 40 years ago, NCL provides certified programs in youth development, behavioral health, housing and stability, child abuse prevention and intervention, and mediation and legal services.
The agency’s staff of psychologists, counselors and family therapists serve nearly 20,000 clients throughout the region.
A native of Mexico who grew up outside Mexico City and later graduated from Carlsbad High School, Maria is a married mother of an 5-year-old daughter. Based on her responses below, she clearly has a heartfelt devotion to helping those in need.
This is my way of giving back and helping as much as I can.
Q: What is North County Lifeline?
A: We’re a social service agency that has numerous outreach programs to help low-income families become more self-sufficient and self-sustaining.
Q: What do you do there?
A: As a financial counselor, I coach our clients on financial literacy, help them to understand credit, and how to fix or establish their credit rating.
Q: Why do you do what you do?
A: I do this because I know there’s a huge need for our services. I see it every day.
Q: What about your role brings you personal satisfaction?
A: When I was younger, I was in their same situation. This is my way of giving back and helping as much as I can.
Q: When you’re giving financial advice, do you find there’s resistance?
A: It’s always very hard to get people to talk about their financial situation. Usually, there are reasons that go beyond simply making enough money. I just tell them there’s nothing to be ashamed of, and that we’re here to help.
Q: You’ve been through AmeriCorps twice now. What have you learned?
A: I learned everything that I’m teaching now. I know I can make a difference.
Q: Can you pinpoint one thing you’ve learned about yourself?
A: My involvement with AmeriCorps and here at North County Lifeline has showed me that I love helping people. And I didn’t know that about myself as much as I do now.
North County Lifeline, Vista office:
200 Michigan Avenue
Vista, CA 92084
760-726-4900
www.nclifeline.org