We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Wells Fargo Foundation for a recent $25,000 grant to support our Economic Opportunity work. Our suite of Economic Opportunity programs are uniquely designed and equipped to do just that for residents across the region. We utilize a two-generational approach–positioning families to take transformational actions by accessing the resources and support they need to achieve long-term, sustained financial well-being and build generational wealth:

• Fund My Future PGH helps families start their children’s savings as early as possible. By providing access to a monthly prize pool of $2,000, as well as supportive personal assistance and access to savings support sessions for parents (and grandparents), children from birth to age 18 are given a jump-start toward their future. Fund My Future PGH serves all families in Allegheny County by helping them save for college and other post-secondary goals.
• Next, for those whose parents did not give them an early start, Financial Capability for Youth provides account access and financial education to children and youth at critical points of openness to new knowledge and tools. For example, teens starting their first jobs are eager to open their own bank accounts and learn about saving for goals. Children acquiring a new digital skill can play an interactive game that teaches about smart spending. Offered outside of the classroom, it’s contextualized to real life situations.
• For all adults, the Financial Empowerment Center provides free one-on-one financial counseling by trained and certified professionals to help clients take control of their debt, improve their credit, create a budget, connect to safe and affordable financial products, save for emergencies and major purchases, and meet their goals.
• For those ready to move from financial empowerment to asset building, Money Talks is a virtual community made up of Black women of various backgrounds who meet regularly to share with each other and learn from experts about saving and investing. Topics covered include money values, debt management, retirement planning, and ways to invest. Money Talks reduces barriers that women of color face in building generational wealth, by increasing their knowledge and confidence in money management and investing.

Thank you, Wells Fargo Foundation, for your generous support!