Ladder Up Kicks off Project Money, Delivering Free Financial Coaching to Illinois Families
Non-profit empowers members to develop a positive and healthy relationship with their money
CHICAGO, May 15, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- This week, Ladder Up, a Chicago-based non-profit organization providing free financial programs, kicks off Project Money, a six-week, no-cost financial coaching and empowerment program.
This will be the first Project Money cycle of the year, and Ladder Up will host two other cycles during 2019—one in the summer and one in the fall. Each cycle can accommodate 20 program members who are each connected with volunteer financial coaches.
Project Money provides its members with a community of like-minded, goal-focused individuals, a personal financial coach, and several financial education courses. Financial coaches are mentors and guides that help participants focus on developing and achieving their personal financial goals. Coaches and clients work together to create an effective budget, make a plan to save for retirement or college, manage or improve credit, and prevent identity theft, and more.
"Ladder Up's free programs, including Project Money, are founded on the belief that developing positive financial practices is a vital part of the journey to financial freedom," said Christine Cheng, executive director of Ladder Up.
Held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Ladder Up's headquarters in downtown Chicago, the program has no income limits, though members will have to demonstrate that they have some type of income through full or part-time work, Social Security income, student loan refunds, or veterans assistance. Also, members should not be in a current financial crisis if they sign up to participate.
"Our goal is to provide the resources for individuals and families to gain financial knowledge and skills," added Cheng. "We want to encourage every member to finish the six-week course and are offering a $500 program graduation bonus."
In September of 2018, Ladder Up acquired the Center for Economic Progress (CEP), an organization with a long and robust history of providing free tax preparation and spearheading the Project Money initiative. Because of this strategic alliance, and thanks to the dedication of the volunteers from both legacy organizations, Ladder Up has been able to continue Project Money for the families of Chicago.
Ladder Up engages hundreds of IRS-certified volunteers each year to help thousands of eligible taxpayers secure critical tax credits and refunds. During the 2019 tax season, more than 1,000 volunteers helped low-income Illinois taxpayers prepare their tax returns, while also providing financial resources and opportunities to help them become more financially resilient and move up the economic ladder.
If you are interested in participating in one of Ladder Up's 2019 Project Money sessions or getting involved as a volunteer, please contact Ladder Up at [email protected]. Ladder Up will provide training and resources for its volunteers to maximize their time and services.
To date in 2019, Ladder Up has served over 23,000 clients and helped them secure more than $39 million in tax refunds.
About Ladder Up
Ladder Up provides hardworking people with the financial resources and opportunities they need to move up the economic ladder. Founded in 1994, Ladder Up provides free financial programs to help clients secure the tax refunds they deserve, gain the knowledge to navigate today's complex financial systems, and obtain financial aid to make college dreams a reality.
In the fall of 2018, Ladder Up acquired Center for Economic Progress, which will enable the organization to provide expanded tax, financial education, and asset-building services and add legal aid to the organization's program portfolio.
Since Center for Economic Progress' founding in 1990 and Ladder Up's founding in 1994, the two organizations have generated a combined total economic impact of $1.15 billion.
SOURCE Ladder Up
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