Thank you to our allies at the Buhl Foundation for your support!
Last week, we were awarded a $25,000 grant from the Buhl Foundation that will support the Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) at Northside Common Ministries/Goodwill Southwest PA. The FOC model focuses on improving the financial bottom line for low-to moderate-income families and helping people change their financial behavior in a way that encourages a long-term commitment to increasing income, decreasing expenses, building credit, and acquiring assets.
In 2015, we launched three FOCs at local employment/social service agencies, including the Northside location. In just one year of operations, these three centers have provided bundled services to 480 individuals. Of those, 290 have obtained employment and 256 have increased their net income. Longer-term goals to be tracked in 2016 include gains in credit scores and net worth.
In 2016 we will build upon this work by 1) providing financial empowerment training to case managers in social service agencies; 2) creating a local Asset Building Network to support learning and collaboration; and 3) working with the Mayor’s Office to develop a financial inclusion strategy for Pittsburgh.
For more information on Financial Opportunity Centers in Pittsburgh, contact Sarah Dieleman Perry at sarah@neighborhoodallies.org.
Thank you, Buhl Foundation, for your ongoing support and partnership!
