United Way’s Financial Prosperity Center Celebrates One Year Anniversary with Open House

(Canton, OH – February 15, 2018) United Way of Greater Stark County will celebrate the 1-year anniversary of its Economic Mobility Center, formerly Financial Prosperity Center, on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 from 12:00-3:00 PM. Developed to help local residents become financially stable, United Way of Greater Stark County’s Economic Mobility Center at OhioMeansJobs offers a variety of services tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual client. The focus is on 3 primary areas: employment counseling and placement, financial education and coaching, and public benefits access.

The public is invited to attend the event. Guests may tour the center, which is housed within the existing OhioMeansJobs facility at 822 30th Street NW in Canton. Information will be available about the many services offered free of charge, such as: assistance with benefit applications (SNAP, TANF, FAFSA, Medicare and Medicaid, voter registration), VITA free income tax preparation, financial counseling and coaching, financial education classes and workshops, workforce and employment services (new employment coaching, career readiness classes, job search assistance, clothing vouchers, employment training). Staff will be available to answer questions. There will be giveaways, and guests may enter a raffle for a prize basket.

“We’re excited to celebrate the 1-year anniversary of this innovative project,” says Maria Heege, UWGSC President and CEO. “The [Economic Mobility Center] at OhioMeansJobs aligns with United Way’s Financial Stability BOLD GOALS, and we’re seeing more and more people coming in to take advantage of the numerous services offered.”

United Way of Greater Stark County envisions a community where a cycle for financial success exists, allowing individuals and families access to build long-term, economic independence. United Way of Greater Stark County’s Economic Mobility Center at OhioMeansJobs is one of many financial stability initiatives programs and services developed to provide local residents with pathways out of poverty that are realistic and sustainable.

“Housing the [Economic Mobility Center] within the OhioMeansJobs facility is an ideal collaboration,” says FPC Manager Chrisann Leaman. “The [Economic Mobility Center] complements the services available at the OhioMeansJobs Stark County Center, and vice-versa. The financial and employment programs offered through the [Economic Mobility Center] provide job seekers – and employed individuals – with powerful tools to improve their families’ financial situation.”

More information is available at http://www.uwstark.org/financial-prosperity-center or (330)491-2620. This project was made possible through funding from: The Sterling Foundation, Westfield Bank, Huntington Bank, PNC Bank, The Deuble Foundation, Internal Revenue Service and Ohio Association of Food Banks.

About United Way of Greater Stark County

United Way of Greater Stark County fights for the Health, Education and Financial Stability of every person in every community. The agency collaborates, convenes, and partners to support programs and initiatives that break the cycle of poverty, promote a healthy community where children are successful from kindergarten through graduation to a career, and where families have the tools, skills, and support they need to become financially independent. We win by living United. For more information about United Way of Greater Stark County visit www.uwstark.org. Headquarters are at 401 Market Avenue North, Suite 300, Canton, Ohio 44702. (330) 491-0445.

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