When the starter in her aging Hyundai failed for the third time, Kiyah Moss pulled onto the shoulder of a Northwest Arkansas (NWA) highway and sat quietly behind the wheel, wondering whether she’d make it to work — or how she’d afford the next repair. The breakdowns had become routine. So had the anxiety.

“I hated the anxiety of wondering if I’d make it to work or appointments without breaking down,” she said.

That worry ended this fall when Moss became the first borrower in the new Driving Change Auto Loan Program, a pilot initiative designed to help working individuals with limited or damaged credit purchase safe, reliable vehicles — without the predatory rates that often target low-income buyers.

The program is the result of an innovative partnership between Circles NWA, Communities Unlimited (CU), and Credit Counseling of Arkansas (CCOA), with support from the Excellerate Foundation — a Northwest Arkansas philanthropic organization focused on strengthening economic mobility and stability for working families.

A Model Built on Education, Not Applications

Driving Change turns the traditional auto-loan model upside down. Instead of beginning with a credit check, the process starts with 18 months of financial coaching through Circles NWA. Participants build skills in budgeting, credit repair, and long-term financial planning before they are ever referred to apply for a loan — and only Circle Leaders who complete key milestones are eligible.

For Circles NWA, the idea grew directly from the experiences of the people they serve.

TJ Williams, Senior Director of Initiatives and a Certified Personal Development Coach for Circles, said transportation emerged as one of the most significant barriers for families trying to stabilize their finances.

He remembered workshops where participants shared stories of paying $600 per month for used cars at interest rates as high as 27%. Others were trapped in cycles of repairs, breakdowns, and repossessions.

“We started to see the excessive cost of transportation, and how much it impacted their budgets,” Williams said. “That spurred us to explore auto-financing alternatives.”

As Circles dug deeper, they discovered Community Development Financial Institutions — known as CDFIs — that were offering fair, affordable auto loans in other regions. CDFIs are specialized, mission-driven financial institutions certified by the U.S. Treasury to expand access to capital in communities. They are designed to support borrowers who may not qualify for traditional financing but who can succeed with flexible underwriting and responsible guidance.

For Circles NWA, CU — a CDFI serving seven Southern states including Northwest Arkansas — became the natural partner.

Turning Preparation into Access

Once Circles determines a participant is ready, the organization connects them with CU’s Lending Team and Consumer Loan Officer Jesse Saldaña. CU reviews credit reports, helps identify steps to improve readiness, and evaluates applications.

Raven Nobles, Circles’ Special Projects Manager, serves as the bridge between the two organizations. She helps participants gather documents, understand CU’s process, and prepare for success.

“The process starts with me communicating with Communities Unlimited — specifically Jesse — about what the Circle Leader needs to do to improve their financial standing or their credit score,” Nobles said. She then helps applicants submit required documents and complete the loan application.

When Moss applied, she brought a strong foundation built through months of financial coaching. She had recently paid off a major debt from a prior repossession and had built a clearer understanding of her credit and spending habits through CCOA.

Once Nobles connected her with CU, the loan process moved quickly.

“Jesse was great — he handled a lot of the heavy lifting and made sure everything moved quickly,” Moss said. “From my side, all I had to do was send in my documents and the buyer’s order — he took care of the rest.”

A Pilot Proves Its Potential

With CU’s financing and Circles’ support, Moss purchased a 2015 Honda Odyssey — a vehicle that can handle her growing responsibilities as a social worker, mother, and sister. She recently packed the van full for a family road trip to Fort Scott, Kansas, a simple experience that would have been impossible with her unreliable car.

For many involved, Moss’s experience confirmed what the collaborative had believed from the start: with the right preparation and the right financial partner, families can access safe, affordable transportation without falling prey to high-interest lenders.

Williams noted how Moss demonstrated her own growth through the process. At one dealership, the sticker price came in too high, and she began weighing whether to pay additional taxes.

“She finally said to the salesman, ‘I’m not ready to make a decision at that price today,’” Williams said. “She stood up to leave — and the salesman said, ‘Let me go see what I can do.’ That shows the confidence she gained.”

Nobles said seeing the first loan close felt like a milestone for everyone involved.

“To see all their hard work come together, and to be able to help with the final steps — it meant so much,” she said. “I knew how important it was to Kiyah and her daughter to have reliable transportation.”

A New Pathway to Stability

Under the pilot, borrowers can secure up to $15,000 for a reliable used vehicle with an 8% fixed interest and up to a 5-year term.

For Moss, the difference was immediate — not just in the quality of the car, but in the experience of being treated with dignity and support.

The pilot is already drawing attention from partner agencies and community leaders who see the model as a way to break down one of the most persistent barriers for low-income families.

Moss summed it up simply: