HO-CHUNK COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION    (NATIVE CDFI) WINNEBAGO, NB

I requested a Credit and Loan Training from First Nations Oweesta Corporation in 2011. Soon after I received a call from one of their consultants Charmagne Dolphin. She interviewed me for hours, to make sure that the training fit my staff's needs, and really made the training worth our while.

I can not count how many times we have had a consultant come in and tell us how to do things, without taking into consideration our culture, or why we may do them the way that we do. Thankfully Charmagne never did this once, instead she brought us ideas that meshed with what we are already doing, along with materials and tools that complemented the loan products we already have in place. 

I can not say enough good things about her training style. Charmagne is just a wonderful presenter, and never makes you feel like you may fall asleep! I am thankful that Oweesta decided to send us the best.

-Hank Schersin, Executive Director 

MESCALERO APACHE HOUSING AUTHORITY, MESCALERO, NM 

I have been working with the Mescalero Apache Housing Authority for 8 years now, as a Program Specialist  Home-buyer Counselor and Property Manager. My first contact with Charmagne was in September 2010, when she provided technical assistance for our Financial Literacy Program. During the time she spent here, Charmagne presented the material with ease and humor, which set the tone and made the material interesting and exciting. We felt that with her creative and entertaining perspective of the material it has since helped us to be effective financial literacy presenters to our native clients. Even with a difference in cultural backgrounds, Charmagne was highly respectful and provided us with interesting techniques to effectively present the material to our people. 

During the time I worked with Charmagne, she presented herself as an energetic, knowledgeable, and creative teacher of financial literacy. Her passion for her line of work is expressed in her presentations, communication, dedication, and belief that anybody can successfully develop a financial literacy program. It was an honor to be able to work with her in the development of our program, and most importantly our program has turned out to be a wonderful success because she was so good at tailoring her technical assistance to meet the needs of our people! 

-Lorrie Chavez, Program Specialist 

NORTHERN CHEYENNE TRIBAL HOUSING AUTHORITY, LAME DEER, MT

Charmagne has come to Northern Cheyenne four times over the past two years, and I always look forward to working with her. 

She has helped me put together a very successful adult financial management class. Charmagne provided me with an array of services which included; designing the sessions, creating an internal agenda, preparing all of the materials, and helping me co-teach my first class in April, 2012. 

Charmagne presented a Credit Training to staff from the People's Partners for Community Development and myself. She helped us understand how to help our clients rebuild their credit, so they can someday fulfill their dream of buying their first home. 

Whenever I work with Charmagne I know that whatever she is teaching me to do, will be top notch. She has a drive that makes me want to do better, and with her help I believe that has come through in my Financial Management training's  and during my Housing Counseling session's. I hope to be able to continue working with Charmagne on different projects for many years to come.

-Michelle Two Two, Homebuyer Coordinator