Consumer credit service forges new identity

For more than 30 years, people have used the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of WNC to help untangle their finances and deal with pesky creditors. But with an array of additional services now being offered, the nonprofit’s moniker no longer fits.

So, on July 13 at 9 a.m., at the local United Way’s headquarters on South French Broad Avenue, the organization will host a continental breakfast to unveil a new name that better reflects its range of services, says Executive Director Celeste Collins. In addition to debt-reduction programs, the agency also offers various financial- and housing-counseling services, as well as numerous financial-education opportunities.

For the time being, the new name is being kept under wraps. However, Collins did tell Xpress that her agency is in the process of rolling out a new service to aid the area’s financially challenged—a planning service for low-income people that will help them with such issues as wills, insurance and how to leverage what assets they might have, such as a house. Though the private, community-supported United Way agency offers it services for free, the lack of a dedicated funding source means the newest service will likely charge a small fee, says Collins.

Further, in conjunction with the local YWCA and the Irene Wortham Center, the agency will be offering a financial-literacy and savings-match program (up to $300) targeted to local day-care workers.

“People hear our name and think all we do is credit,” Collins says, adding that most folks also wrongly assume they have to be in crisis to take advantage of the agency’s services. “What we’re trying to do with our new name is have people realize that there is a broad range of things we can do. So we’re really excited about this.”

For details about how the agency can address your financial situation, visit www.debtstress.org or call 255-5166.