For more than six months, our team of Orange County Financial Empowerment Center counselors have been hard at work investing their time and expertise into our community.
In partnership with Orange County Government and the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund, our team provides free financial counseling to anyone who lives or works in Orange County.
In its first six months, 290 clients have been served, collectively increasing their savings by more than $93,000 and reducing total non-mortgage debt by nearly $200,000.
We’ve also expanded our offerings from the initial three Orange County Community Centers to a fourth additional community center and a Neighborhood Center for Families. In addition, clients can meet virtually with their counselors.
“Looking ahead, our focus will center on deepening client engagement, increasing outcomes, and strengthening community partnerships,” said Program Manager Beyra Pavon-Molina.
Meet FEC client Khenitha
FEC client Khenitha said she set a goal for the past year to work on her three “Fs”: faith, her finances, and her fitness. When she saw a post on Instagram advertising the Financial Empowerment Center, she went online and signed up.
“My main goal is better money management,” she said. “I know how to stretch $1 but I really don’t do well with saving $1, so that is my main goal.”
Khenitha said her counselor provided her with small, achievable goals to help her build up her confidence.
“They’re manageable, attainable goals, things that I will find success with. That one success leads to another success, and I feel like I finally got a handle on my goals.”
Khenitha said she’s tried financial counseling before, but it was never as successful as her Financial Empowerment Center sessions.
“I paid money for financial counseling in 2020,” she said. “This is better than what I paid for.”
You can learn more and make a free virtual or in-person appointment here.