Orange County residents can now tap into a resource designed to strengthen their financial health, thanks to a new initiative that offers free personalized financial counseling. The Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) program is made possible by a $300,000 grant from the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund. It is the first in Florida to allow community members to work one-on-one with certified financial counselors.
Orange County's newsroom reported that the service aims to help individuals budget, save, reduce debt, and improve their credit scores. Lavon Williams, deputy director at Orange County Community and Family Services, stressed the significance of the local government's role in aiding citizens: "It puts local government at the center of helping its citizens secure financial stability," Williams said. He also mentioned the increased need for such services in the wake of the pandemic, with many families struggling to bounce back.
Despite the primarily in-person format, virtual sessions are an option, broadening access for those unable to travel to the John Bridges, Hal P. Marston, and Pine Hills Community Action Centers, where counseling is currently offered. By the end of 2025, the Orange County initiative plans to extend these services, further accommodating its residents.
Moreover, the FEC prioritizes an integrative approach by incorporating financial counseling into other forms of social support, such as housing assistance and workforce development. "Financial hardship represents a silent suffering for people, and we want our residents to feel like they have the support to set them on the path they want for themselves," Williams elucidated, per the county's news release. Around the nation, FECs have already helped significantly reduce personal debt and increase savings among nearly 173,000 clients.
Appointments for financial counseling can be made through the Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County website.
