Don’t fumble your finances: Free event Dec. 7 will help residents tackle their goals

With 2022 just around the corner, Mon Valley Initiative wants to help local residents make a new year’s resolution to be better prepared financially.

“Tackle Your Financial Goals VI” will be held at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 7, says T. Charles Howell IV, MVI director of workforce development & financial coaching.

This is the sixth time MVI has held the event, which is football-themed. Experts will answer questions about topics such as building your credit, buying a house, opening a bank account and finding a better job.

This year’s event is online-only due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but is free and open to anyone in the Pittsburgh area. To register and receive a password, email Deborah Mattie, MVI employment coach, at dmattie@monvalleyinitiative.com, or call 412-464-4000, ext. 4000.

The sessions include games, and prizes have been donated by California University of Pennsylvania.

“We know talking about your finances can be stressful, so we try to keep this event fun — but it’s fun with a purpose,” Howell said. “We hope anyone who’s been struggling to make ends meet will learn something useful, and afterwards, they’re invited to can give us a call so that we can continue the conversation.”

Since 2001, Mon Valley Initiative has offered residents of Allegheny, Washington and Westmoreland counties free workforce development services, including career coaching, resume assistance, computer classes and help with soft skills, such as preparing for job interviews.

Over the past several years, MVI has added financial coaching to its services. That includes help planning a household budget, advice for avoiding predatory lenders, and discussions about how to use credit and banking products — such as checking and savings accounts — responsibly.

Support for MVI’s workforce & financial coaching program comes from the Pennsylvania Self-Sufficiency Program, the Jefferson Regional Foundation, the Pittsburgh Foundation and United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, with additional support for this event from Dollar Bank and WesBanco.