SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Partners for Community Action is one of seven organizations recently awarded a $5,000 grant from the state for their veterans’ financial literacy program.
Operation Money Wise is a program from the state treasurer’s Office of Economic Empowerment, the Division of Banks and the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. The grant funding helps to create or improve financial education programs that serve the military community. More than $264,000 has been distributed through these grants since the program began in 2016.
“We are proud to support organizations that enhance the financial well-being of our military community,” State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg said in a press release. “This year’s grantees make a real difference in the lives of those who served our country, helping them achieve stability and security for themselves and their families.”
Seven agencies, universities and nonprofits received grants this year. Springfield Partners for Community Action was the only one headquartered in Western Massachusetts.
Springfield Partners for Community Action Director Veterans Services Walter Flydd explained that the organization’s veteran financial literacy program consists of a two-day seminar in which up to a dozen veterans review their credit, acquire budgeting skills and learn healthy financial behaviors. As an incentive to participate, the veterans receive a certificate and stipend upon completion of the seminar. A one-on-one follow up is scheduled a few months later and a second stipend is received by the participants. A pre-test is taken before the seminar and another test is taken during the follow-up to see what has been learned and retained.
“We’ve had some good responses with folks who feel they’ve received some education,” said Flydd.
To find participants, Flydd said Springfield Partners for Community Action networks with veterans’ organizations and receives referrals from area Veteran Service Officers and the Veterans’ Administration. It also advertises the program on social media and runs luncheons for veterans as outreach events.
“You have folks who come from different walks of life who enter the service,” Flydd said. “We try to help people who may be in a gray area in terms of transitioning back into life. There are some folks who have learned to manage their lives, but not manage [their finances] well.”
Springfield Partners also offers veterans help with filing disability claims, accessing education benefits, finding transportation, obtaining safe and affordable housing, applying for jobs, applying for health care benefits, preparing tax returns and accessing financial assistance.
The next seminar will be offered in the fall. For more information on Springfield Partners for Community Action’s veterans’ services, visit springfieldpartnersinc.com or call 413-263-6500.
