Traverse City 18-year-old Helps Families Fight Poverty through G1FT

A Traverse City 18-year-old has been helping local families fight poverty for years.

Taylor Weckstein is the founder of G1FT — "Giving One Family at a Time."

Every year, she and her mother help one family on the path to financial stability.

With community support, G1FT provides things people need to achieve financial independence.

There is an application form families fill out to get help.

Then applicants have a sit-down interview in their home to make a plan tailored to that specific family’s needs.

“It was probably the darkest time of my life looking back,” said Kathy, who lives in Traverse City. She did not disclose her last name in order to maintain some anonymity.

Five years ago, Kathy hit her rock bottom.

Divorced with two young sons, she took whatever odd jobs she could to make ends meet.

Her situation started turning around after she met Taylor Weckstein.

“I first met Taylor probably five years ago. I was her third family and it was probably one of the most trying times of my life.”

Taylor started the non-profit G1FT — Giving One Family at a Time — when she was just 11 years old.

She wanted to have a local, personal impact.

Now a high school senior, she guides people in poverty to resources to help them assess their financial priorities and achieve their goals.

“Mentoring is the word I use, but I’m not sure it’s the right one," Weckstein said. "Me being the age that I am and always helping people who are a lot older and more experienced and wiser than I am.”

Weckstein is teaching fellow students how to run G1FT so it’s in good hands when she leaves for college.

“We’re in the transition process and there’s two of my peers doing such a great job. It’s really exciting to see. They’re meeting with a family once a week.”

This way, people like Kathy who fall on hard times can get the help they need to improve their situations.

In fact, Kathy finished her bachelor’s degree this past weekend with highest honors.

“What has started a few years ago has grown me into something that’s blossoming and something that’s beautiful and amazing,” Kathy said.

The Anne Frank Center in New York is awarding Taylor a $10,000 scholarship for her efforts with G1FT.

But since she already has a full-ride to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she’s deferring the scholarship for grad school.