For a period of about ten years, Kim McGrigg was known as “Susan.”
No, she wasn’t in the witness protection program. She was an online advice columnist for a company that helped people with financial problems. Thousands of people wrote to her Dear Susan column each year with questions about debt collection, bankruptcy, and foreclosure, and she answered every single one of them.
As expected, the letters were full of financial details. But what surprised her was the amount of emotional pain that came along with the dollar amounts and percentages. “It became clear that financial problems don’t only impact finances,” said Kim. “Words like depressed, worried, sleepless, and even hopeless were common.” She referred more people than one might imagine to a suicide prevention hotline.
People in debt do not get much sympathy. Most people assume that those who get into financial trouble are irresponsible. However, Kim learned that is rarely the case. In reality, there are two main reasons people get into debt. The first is a life circumstance such as an illness, death, or divorce. The second is a lack of education – which is why she believes in the power of Junior Achievement.
After years of reacting to problems that already exist, working at Junior Achievement allows her to be proactive. Thanks to thousands of local volunteers, Junior Achievement students are better prepared to grow up to be financially savvy adults. She is proud to be part of a practical, proven solution to all of those hopeless emails.
“Preventing problems is easier than solving them. I’m happy to be part of the solution,” said Kim
Kim McGrigg is the senior director of communication for Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain. In this role, she shares stories about JA’s incredible impact through the organization’s communication channels.
