8.19.2020 Gaithersburg Launches Free Financial Navigator Guidance Program

Gaithersburg, Md. (August 17, 2020) In partnership with the national nonprofit organization, the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund), the City of Gaithersburg today announced the launch of a free Financial Navigator program to help residents address critical financial issues they may be facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Financial Navigators are now available to provide guidance over the phone, helping residents access available programs and services to manage income disruptions and other financial concerns. Financial Navigators help residents one-on-one to triage personal financial issues, identify immediate action steps to manage expenses and maximize income and make referrals to other services such as food resources, employment opportunities, health and mental health services, and more. The Financial Navigator program in Gaithersburg is coordinated by the Community Services Division of the Department of Community & Public Relations, in partnership with Housing Initiative Partnership, Inc.

Residents can connect with a Navigator by completing the web form here or by calling 240-805-1890. The Financial Navigator will then send a short service agreement and call the client to begin their personal session. Organizations and case managers can also refer clients directly to a Financial Navigator.

 

The City of Gaithersburg is launching the Financial Navigator program in partnership with the CFE Fund, which provided grant funding along with significant technical assistance and training to launch the program in Gaithersburg and 30 other cities and counties across the nation.

 

The Financial Navigator program in Gaithersburg enhances the robust services and resources of the Gaithersburg Financial Wellness Coalition and the Bank On Gaithersburg program. City of Gaithersburg Council Member Ryan Spiegel spearheaded the development of the Bank On Gaithersburg program to serve the unbanked and underbanked populations in 2009, after learning about a similar program through the National League of Cities. In 2014, Gaithersburg Community Services staff began the Gaithersburg Financial Wellness Coalition to serve residents in the Bank On Gaithersburg program. The Coalition generates success in the face of many obstacles in reaching targeted communities. It provides access to low-cost accounts, budgeting help, financial and credit education, and counseling, vocational coaching, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), summer youth employment, and housing counseling. Several financial initiatives have been carried out with additional support from the CFE Fund.