On March 31, 2008, Martha M. Medina joined the Greater Southwest Development Corporation's REACH Center as a Housing Counselor, hoping to assist local residents through free financial services and homebuyer seminars and trainings.

Martha's new position at the REACH Center marks a return to the southwest side for her. From 1977 to 1987, she was a local resident; her passion for this community, she says, has led her back, back to serve its residents. She comes to us with a Bachelor's Degree from DePaul University and with a background in real estate and home lending. Throughout her financial career, she has helped make a difference in the lives of homebuyers, whether by assisting first-time buyers in realizing their dreams of homeownership or by helping existing homeowners refinance their mortgages to keep them in their homes.

At present, Martha is spending time with major banks to orient herself with available mortgage loan programs and incentives for first-time homebuyers. As part of her work, she will also provide budget and credit counseling for those individuals who have been recently laid-off or have been ill.