DEVELOPMENT CENTERS
CENTER FOR FINANCIAL INCLUSION
WHY WE DO THIS
In our community, as many as 260,000 residents are unbanked. Worse off are the more than 12,000 area residents who don’t have a home, or are at risk of homelessness on any given day.
MISSION
Our mission for the Financial Empowerment Center at the Greater Washington Urban League is to place our constituents on viable pathways to economic progress and facilitate community and generational wealth accumulation. Our duty is to put participants in the driver’s seat with the skills and mindfulness they need to make critical changes and choices in order to build sound financial futures.
SERVICES
CAREER MOBILITY ACTION PROGRAM
FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT SPARK SERIES
SMALL GROUP FINANCIAL THERAPY & COACHING
FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT LAB COHORTS
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT WORKSHOPS
WORKFORCE READINESS SPARK SERIES
OUR WORK
The Greater Washington Urban League provides our constituents with viable pathways to economic progress. It is our duty to equip them with the skills and mindfulness required to make critical decisions that help build sound financial futures. Having access to certain financial tools and resources can be a huge help in bringing people into the financial mainstream.
By advancing the lives of DC’s most financially challenges residents, the city can ensure that all residents—regardless of their income—can contribute to, and thrive in its vibrant economy. GWUL curates training that empowers economic growth through five unique programs. Our one-on-one financial coaching provides constituents with personalized solutions to their financial literacy journey. We also host Financial Therapy and Inclusion workshops in an effort to help overcome the mental battles that come with generational financial hardship and trauma. Additional resources include housing and estate counseling, entrepreneurship development, and financial empowerment lab cohorts.
OUR IMPACT
GWUL provides economic empowerment programs which focus on financial wellness and entrepreneurship. Services offered through the Center for Financial Inclusion assists people with addressing the root causes of financial decision making which are often caused by financial trauma and daily stress. Through the work of the CFI clients learn to manage financial stress, triggers, and anxiety so they can ultimately build and pass along generational wealth. In fiscal year 2020 the Center for Financial Inclusion provided financial education workshops, individual financial coaching, and financial therapy for 732 clients.
CAREER MOBILITY ACTION PROGRAM
The District of Columbia (District) Career Mobility Action Plan (Career MAP) is a groundbreaking pilot designed to remove barriers that families confront as they pursue employment that can sustain their families. For up to five years, the pilot will provide resources directly to families who have experienced homelessness, are committed to pursuing a career, and are at risk of losing cash, food, health care, child care, and housing benefits more quickly than their income can cover these lost resources (also known as 'benefits cliffs').
FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT SPARK SERIES
A 10-part online financial education series that demystifies the concept of financial trauma and its impact on financial decision-making. The series is designed to inspire you to aspire to big financial goals and introduce you to wealth building tools. The Spark Series will awaken you to go beyond the surface to root causes of your relationship with money. You’ll leave the series “Sparked” to change your relationship with money and start working toward a sound financial future. The Spark Series is delivered by a team of financial educators, financial coaches, financial therapists, and financial industry experts.
ONE-ON-ONE FINANCIAL COACHING
In-person and Virtual Coaching Sessions facilitated By Certified Financial Coaches and/or Certified Financial Therapists. Individual coaching is available to anyone who has completed the Financial Spark Series and has a desire to reach their financial goals. Coaching will help you get clear on your goals, develop a plan to achieve those goals, and support you every step of the way. Your financial coach will help you create or refine your financial freedom plan for the future, define your financial goals & timelines, and identify additional service supports. One-on-one coaching can cover a range of topics including, budgeting, credit counseling, housing counseling, entrepreneurship coaching, and more!
FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT LAB COHORTS
8-10 session knowledge lab cohort designed to help you master your finances. Our team of expert financial counselors and educators help you do the work of transforming your financial reality, reaching your financial goals, and navigating financial emotions. The Financial Empowerment Lab Cohorts are led by trained facilitators, financial therapists, and industry experts. Cohorts cover a variety of topics including but not limited to, credit & savings, debt management, and homeownership. Enrollment in the Financial Empowerment Lab cohort is available to anyone who has completed the Financial Empowerment Spark Series.