United Way of Northwest Louisiana (UWNWLA) has been awarded a $15,000 grant from the Grayson Foundation to support the Shreveport Financial Empowerment Center (SFEC), a vital resource offering free financial counseling to local residents.
In partnership with the City of Shreveport, the SFEC provides one-on-one financial counseling as a public service. Certified Financial Counselors assist individuals and families in managing their finances, reducing debt, increasing savings, establishing and building credit, accessing safe banking products, and improving economic mobility.
The Grayson Foundation, a private entity through the Community Foundation of North Louisiana, has been supporting efforts to improve the Shreveport-Bossier community’s quality of life since its incorporation in 1973. It focuses its grants on programs benefiting disadvantaged populations in the areas of health, human services, and education.
The SFEC plays a key role in UWNWLA’s financial stability programs, which aim to support ALICE households—Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. According to the latest ALICE report, approximately 56% of the Northwest Louisiana population struggles to afford essential needs despite being employed.
“We are incredibly grateful for this grant, which will directly support the vital work of the Shreveport Financial Empowerment Center,” said Rashida Dawson, UWNWLA Vice President of Financial Stability. “These funds will empower the program to reach even more individuals and families in need, providing them with critical resources and guidance to achieve greater financial stability and independence.”
Since its launch in 2020, the SFEC has made a measurable impact, serving 910 clients, collectively reducing their debt by $2,920,189 and increasing savings by $1,102,858.
To learn more about the Shreveport Financial Empowerment Center, visit United Way NWLA’s Financial Empowerment Center.