Identify financial challenges, set goals, and create an action plan
to manage your finances and achieve financial strength.
Our four core areas of service are:
debt reduction
building/improving credit score
building savings
accessing safe, affordable banking products and services
Don't see what you need help with listed? Don't worry! Schedule an appointment
and we'll help you create a plan. Our financial counselors work with you—step
by step—so you never feel lost or like you're alone in this. And if you don't
exactly know what you need to do yet, we'll help you figure it out.
Under 18? Check out Lansing Promise to see if you qualify for the post-high
school tuition scholarship.
Financial Empowerment Center
Everyone has financial goals, and everyone should be able to achieve
them. Even if you feel like you’ve lost control of your finances, the
Financial Empower Center can get you back on track to saving money.
What Financial Empowerment Center does
We provide free 1-on-1 financial counseling in order to help
residents regain control of their finances, achieve their financial
goals, and increase their overall savings.
Are you fresh out of high school and not sure how to start adulting?
Feeling overwhelmed with bills or having trouble stretching your money
through the month? Do you want to set up a retirement savings plan?
Having trouble paying your mortgage? Just want us to look over your
general finances? Whatever it is you’d like done, we’ll certainly help
you do it.
Getting your finances in order leads to a happier, healthier you. In
fact, a study showed those experiencing money problems—such as debt
stress—were significantly more likely to report physical and mental
health issues. These included ulcers, digestive issues, and anxiety
problems.
BOLD’s mission is to create a stronger, more successful Lansing, and
it starts with ensuring the health and happiness of its residents.
You can choose an in-person appointment at the Financial Empowerment
Center (located in the Cristo Rey Community Center), a video call, or a
phone call. The FEC works around your schedule, even if you can’t make
an appointment during regular hours. Appointments typically take 45
minutes.
A counselor will look over your current financial situation, set
goals with you, and create an action plan to help you achieve them.
After your first meeting, the counselor will schedule a follow-up
appointment within the next two weeks to keep you on track to improving
your finances.
Danielle’s Story
Danielle came to the FEC with…
no savings,
student loans and credit card debt,
high debt to income ratio, and
no budgeting knowledge.
She attended free 1-on-1 sessions and met with her counselor every
two months to stay on track to accomplishing her goals. As a result,
Danielle...
learned how to build a realistic budget, cut down expenses, and
maintain good credit;
opened an emergency savings account for rainy days; and
explored buying a house vs renting an apartment.
Today, Danielle has exceeded her goals. She has saved over $34,000,
reduced her debt to income ratio enough to apply for a mortgage, and
even closed on her new home.
