Financial Literacy Training helps rebuild lives

Financial Literacy Training Helps Rebuild Lives

Several years ago, Pine Street Inn piloted a program to teach basic financial literacy to job seekers experiencing homelessness, as they made their way toward self-sufficiency. It began with a single volunteer and one 20-minute workshop during a job training orientation.

Shadawn, a trainee who completed the Make Your Change Count program, has subsequently taught the class.

Today, that 20-minute workshop has grown into Make Your Change Count™, a program led by four volunteers that offers a series of 90-minute classes on professionalism, credit, budgeting, banking and goal-setting.

As one trainee said: “Now I better understand the power we have to make positive, impactful decisions.”

Make Your Change Count™ continues to evolve. Former students teach current students. Lesson summaries and additional resources are sent to trainees after class. Interactive exercises illustrate important points, and volunteers offer one-on-one coaching for anyone who requests it. Volunteers Mario Alosco, Danny Hannafin, Ellen Pedro and Howard Perlstein (founder), lead this successful program.

For more information or to volunteer, email MakeYourChangeCount@gmail.com.