Common Cents

The RISE Foundation is proud to be apart of the Greater Memphis Financial Empowerment Center (GMFEC) which is a joint program in collaboration with the Shelby County Trustee's office. GMFEC is offering free financial counseling services to all Shelby County residents.  The demand for services has doubled in these uncertain times and now is being conducted remotely in response to COVID-19 precautions.  

Ms. B came to the GMFEC in March 2020.  She was referred to GMFEC by Meritan and requested financial counseling because she felt that she would be unable to fix her current financial situation alone.  So far, with the help of a financial counselor, she has been able to increase her credit score by almost 50 points, and reduce her delinquent accounts.  She states, “I am confident that I can change my current financial situation, because working with a financial counselor has helped me understand how credit works.”

Her experience has been very rewarding and she wants others to know that they never have to struggle with improving their credit, putting together a budget or getting access to resources that they need to improve their financial health.  She says that anyone who is curious about the GMFEC should not be afraid to ask for help.  “Everyone at the Center has been wonderful and willing to help, especially my financial counselor.  She has helped me increase my credit score, referred me to better job opportunities and helped me decrease my debt to free up more income for a savings plan.”

This is not the end of the road for Ms. B, as she has more financial goals that she would like to achieve.  She states, “I plan to continue working with my financial counselor for as long as she will have me.  I want to achieve more financial stability and secure better housing for my family.  I now have more confidence that I can achieve whatever financial goals I set for myself.”  

The Common Cents program at the RISE Foundation can be individualized to incorporate benefit programs like corporate employee assistance programs, financial wellness workshops for clients of nonprofit organizations or church congregations.  Access to the GMFEC is open to all Common Cents workplans. Your support helps the RISE Foundation to continue innovative programs like these that benefit youth, adults and seniors struggling to reach self-sufficiency for themselves and their families.