Press release from OnTrack WNC Financial Education & Counseling:
OnTrack WNC Financial Education & Counseling is launching newly developed services to help people deal with the financial/ housing crises caused by the pandemic: new individual counseling for emergency cashflow planning, webinars on topics relevant to managing finances during a crisis and ongoing “Resource Digests” with information on available assistance/resources.
“As the financial impact of the pandemic continued and increased, we realized we needed to design programs to address the emerging needs and shift to online service delivery because of social distancing mandates,” said Sarah Brown, OnTrack WNC Deputy Director. “Not only are we launching new relevant content, but we also offer online screening and scheduling to improve access to our services.”
OnTrack WNC’s Emergency Cashflow Counseling helps people: create a two-month cash plan to make sure the most important expenses and bills are covered; figure out how to reduce expenses or increase income to make ends meet; look at their debt, evaluate debt payment programs available from creditors during COVID-19, and determine what to pay and how much; and make choices to make their plan work in real life (and not just on paper).
Foreclosure Prevention Counseling helps people create a plan to avoid losing their homes by accessing their current situation, evaluating income for mortgage payments and exploring programs available from their mortgage servicer. Call OnTrack WNC at 255-5166 to book one of these counseling appointments. If you prefer to do yourscreening online instead of calling, visit www.ontrackwnc.org/screening-questions to take the first step in the online intake process.
The webinars will include: Emergency Cashflow Planning, Debt Payment in Uncertain Times, and Using Credit When You Can’t Make Ends Meet. During the live webinars, participants will get information and guidance for decision making, have a chance to ask questions, and learn how to schedule a counseling appointment. To learn more and register: https://ontrackwnc.org/education/
OnTrack WNC’s streamlined website (www.ontrackwnc.org) clearly communicates information about the new programs and also the programs that are on hold during remote work and social distancing.Because information is coming out so quickly, OnTrack WNC created a free email resource which compiles information on programs, assistance and announcements which can help people navigate these unprecedented times. People can view previous Resource Digests and sign up to be on the email distribution: https://ontrackwnc.org/what-we-do/resource-digest-covid-19.html
“Based on our experience in the Great Recession, we know that people need help dealing with financial and housing crises. Right now, our priority is to serve people who have experienced a reduction in income as a result of the economic crisis created by COVID-19 and those who do not have enough income to cover their expenses,” said Celeste Collins, Executive Director, “In the weeks ahead, we look forward to expanding the services we have available and restarting some programs that are temporarily on hold.”
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