Since April is “Financial Literacy Month”, we thought we’d take a break from talking about money in the billions and trillions (as is the norm here in DC) and instead focus on finances in amounts that are more relevant to most of us.
One of the goals for our local Goodwill organizations is to help is to help individuals and families reach their full potential through education, skills training and employment. There are significant barriers to education and work for many people and even once they access a local Goodwill service to support, there often lies another hurdle: lack of financial wellness. Many people (no matter what their socio-economic status) are not well-educated about their personal finances. Add to that inexperience with a steady paycheck and the result – a recipe for disappointment! It can be hard to prepare for finding a job but when doors close because of negative financial history, it can be heartbreaking.
Never fear – Local Goodwill organizations across the country are preparing people for success! Our independent, community-based programs are highly capable of equipping people to gain a clear understanding of their finances, and learn the skills to accomplish their own financial goals while on a career pathway. For example, Goodwill Manasota in Sarasota/Bradenton, Florida has had their staffers team up with private sector partners for the past 15 years to provide training and resources on financial literacy. Neighborhood-based classes ranging from “Credit Smart/Protecting Your Information” to “How to get help with buying a home” are offered to help reduce the estimated two-thirds of Americans who cannot pass a basic financial literacy test.
Other Goodwill organizations offer pre-financial and financial literacy classes as well as other resources throughout the country for individuals, families, and youth. This is one of the best examples highlighting why we advocate so passionately for Goodwill and the day-to-day work being done to educate, equip, and engage people to realize their goals, which we think results in stronger communities.
In fact, we’re getting ready for around hundred advocates to join us in Washington in a couple of weeks – won’t you join us virtually and advocate for programs like these to help people in your community?
