Pro Bono Workshop Non-Profit Panel: Suzy Wheeler- FamilyMeans, Christine Hazuka and Kate Siess - Prepare + Prosper, John Hoffman - Consumer Credit of Minnesota
Who do you turn to when you need help? A family member, your spouse, a trusted friend or mentor? What would you do if they weren’t available or able to help?
For too many of our neighbors, finding the help they need when a financial emergency happens can be difficult and stressful, but it doesn’t have to be.
FPA MN’s Pro Bono Committee believes that everyone deserves quality financial advice regardless of their financial means or background. We also believe that our members are in a unique position to be able to help connect others with information and resources that can help empower them to make positive strides toward improving their financial well-being.
In furtherance of that vision, the Pro Bono Committee hosted a Community Resource workshop in June to provide our members with connections to local not-for-profit organizations they can use when working with their own clients or when responding for requests for pro bono advice.
Pro Bono Workshop Non-Profit Panel: Suzy Wheeler- FamilyMeans, Christine Hazuka and Kate Siess - Prepare + Prosper, John Hoffman - Consumer Credit of Minnesota; Moderator - Melanie Hardie, MA, CFP®, AFC®
Melanie Hardie moderated a panel of speakers representing FamilyMeans, Consumer Credit of Minnesota, and Prepare + Prosper, who shared information about the services they provide and how planners can more effectively leverage their expertise.
The panelists fielded questions from the audience about helping clients create and adhere to a budget, tax preparation and financial coaching for low-income individuals, student loan debt repayment options, debt management, bankruptcy, and facilitating action when a situation seems overwhelming.
Educational materials and lists of community resources were provided to participants, as well as pointers for helping successfully connect individuals with organizations that can help.
The next Pro Bono Workshop will provide "Tools for Working with Neighbors in Need," and is scheduled immediately following the chapter meeting on September 19th. One hour of CE credit will be available for this session.
Are you able to help? Each month our chapter receives multiple requests for one-on-one pro bono consultations from community members in need. Many of these requests come from senior citizens who don’t know where else to turn.
If you’re a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and have 15-20 minutes for a phone call, we need your help. Please email volunteers@fpamn.org to receive email notifications about these types of requests in the future, and thank you!
If we all just did ONE THING, imagine the impact we can have on our community!
Want more information? There are educational and community resources available for planners and consumers via both the FPA MN and Foundation for Financial Planning via the following links:
FPA - Connect
