Shareka M. Van Eaton, independent consultant since late 2009, began her career in 1995 as a mortgage loan processor. Over the next few years, she gained a wealth of mortgage related experiences ranging from originations and underwriting to post closing procedures. Late 1999, she sought employment in the non-profit sector with Consumer Credit Counseling Services and was soon promoted to director of Special Programs. She was introduced to counseling through the array of services the agency provided such as mortgage insurance telephone counseling to debt management programs, which involved intense financial, budget and credit counseling. In 2002, CCCS in collaboration with state and national partners developed a homeownership specific program called the Center for Homeownership where Van Eaton held the position as housing educator. During her tenure with CCCS, she obtained many certifications and received the Sue Simmons Housing Counselor of the Year Award. Van Eaton also published an article titled “Knowledge Is Power” directed to the consumer about the benefits of receiving education prior to purchase of a home. In March 2007, Shareka relocated to Mobile, AL, as director of Counseling Services with DASH for the Gulf Coast. As a sub-contracted agency, she and staff focused on providing homeownership restoration counseling under Mississippi Homeowner Assistance Phase II Program for homeowners that suffered property damage as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Shareka currently works as an independent consultant providing training services for the NeighborWorks America Homeownership and Education program (NCHEC). Courses include Introduction to Housing Counseling; Housing Counseling Practices, Principles and Techniques; Data Management and Tracking with CounselorMax; Introduction to Bestfit Software and Counseling Clients Seeking Rental Counseling. Shareka is also a certified Solution Focused Financial Coach and a Money Smart train the trainer instructor.