Financial Stability

Marion County's Prosperity Campaign

Helping hard-working families become financially stable and take the next steps to long-term independence.

Today, community issues stemming from personal, economic and environmental factors are growing increasingly complex and more difficult. More and more, hard-working individuals and families are unable to get ahead financially.

Wages have not kept pace with the rising cost of housing, healthcare, and education in many areas, and skill levels have not stayed in alignment with changing industry needs. As a result, more than 12% of the U.S. population has an income below the federal poverty level, in spite of the fact that many are employed, some with two or three jobs.

Many individuals and families are walking a financial tightrope -- they are barely getting by with no ability to save for college, a home, or for retirement. Credit card debt in America has tripled, from $238 billion in 1989 to over $850 billion today, with one out of three households using credit cards to cover basic living expenses, including rent, mortgage payments, groceries, utilities, and insurance. "Generation Xers" (individuals born between 1961 and 1981) are on track to be the first generation in American history with a lower standard of living than their parents'.

The United Way movement seeks to strengthen communities by identifying and tackling the underlying causes of the most serious social issues facing our nation. Increasingly, the economic and financial pressures facing hard-working people are exacerbating the other social issues. So United Way has expanded its work to include strengthening the financial stability of individuals and families.

Who benefits from this work?

**Hard-working families by helping them to:

1. Increase Income
2. Build Savings
3. Gain and Sustain Assets

**Employers by creating a stronger, more crisis-resistant workforce.

**Communities by increasing home and business ownership, and the financial stability of its residents.

How is the Marion County Prosperity Campaign doing this?

1. EITC / VITA Free Tax Assistance Sites: Free Tax Preparation workshops will be available in February, March and April. Don't pay for filing income tax, loans, or rapid refunds.  VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistane) e-filing gets your cash to you in 8-10 days! Click here for the VITA Gift Certificate.

Don't forget to ask if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Many families do not take advantage of or are unaware of the EITC, which could increase their tax refund by up to $4,000.

Tax preparation continues Monday, April 26 through October 15.  Marion County residents who need their tax returns amended or need prior year taxes done from 2007 through 2009 can take advantage of the free assistance Mondays and Wednesdays from 9am to 2pm at the United Way office.  Please call 732-9696 to make an appointment.

2. Credit Repair / Debt Reduction: Consumer Credit Counseling Service is a non-profit agency that offers debt management programs, comprehensive money management counseling and education through in-person, phone, and Internet sessions. For more information, call (352) 867-1885.

3. Personal Finance Workshops: United Way is working with partnering organizations to offer free finanical education workshops to Marion County residents as well as working with employers to off on-site financial education classes for their employees. Trained facilitators use Money Smart, a FDIC curriculum. 

4. FamilyWize Prescription Discount Card: A free prescription discount card is available to all Marion County residents up to 30% discount per prescription.

Click here to read about the success in Marion County

For more information on the Financial Stability program call Chris Cotter at 352-732-9696 or ccotter@uwmc.org