Financial Opportunity Center
Financial stability empowers families and builds stronger communities.
It is essential that individuals and families be able to make informed financial decisions to weather trying economic times and to plan for the future.
The Urban League of Essex County has been providing financial capability education and coaching to individuals and families for more than five years. The goal of ULEC’s financial capability program is to provide fundamental knowledge of financial staples such as best practices, credit-building initiatives, saving incentive programs, debt management and promote economic stability among the low-to-moderate income households. Financial coaches facilitate this process through workshops, seminars and one-on-one individualized client-driven sessions.
The Financial Opportunity Center has helped over 500 participants create financial goals, build better banking habits, increase net worth, establish and build credit knowledge and scores in preparation for retirement. Participants of financial literacy classes build portfolios rich with goals and priorities for building their futures. To date, more than 4,000 residents and 800 students have received this invaluable training.
For more information, or to get started on your own financial empowerment plan, please contact:
Free Urban League Workshops + Seminars
Register HERE
Includes:
Job Preparation, The Right Job For You, O*NET
Resume, Cover and Thank You Letters
Mock Interviews & Dress for Success
Retention, You Have a Job, Now What?
Hosted by:
(973) 624-9535
Mr. Narcisse
x287
Email
Ms. Brown
x216
Email
Register HERE
Every 1st Tuesday
2-3pm EST
Topics include:
- How to locate scholarships
- Learning about grants (Pell, TAG, etc.)
- How to apply for FAFSA
- Applying for student loans
Note: a personalized Zoom Link will be sent to email address used for registration prior to meeting date.
Hosted by:
Ms. Matthews
973-624-9535 x273
Email
Register HERE
Every 1st Wednesday
3-4pm EST
Topics include:
Why budgets are important
Reducing and/or eliminating expenses
How to assess your financial situation accurately
How to prepare a budget
Note: a personalized Zoom Link will be sent to email address used for registration prior to meeting date.
Hosted by:
Ms. Matthews
973-624-9535 x273
Email
Register HERE
Hosted by:
Ms. Matthews
973-624-9535 x273
Email
Register HERE
Every 2nd and 4th Thursday
9-11am EST
Topics include:
Setting Financial Goals
Creating a Plan of Action
Establishing Personal Accountability
Note: a personalized Zoom Link will be sent to email address used for registration prior to meeting date.
Hosted by:
Ms. Matthews
973-624-9535
Email
Register HERE
Every 2nd and 4th Thursday
11am-12pm EST
Topics include:
Savings strategies
Saving for retirement
Emergency funds
Protecting your assets
Why you need a bank account
How to choose a bank
Account fundamentals
Note: a personalized Zoom Link will be sent to email address used for registration prior to meeting date.
Hosted by:
Ms. Matthews
973-624-9535 x273
Email
Register HERE
Every 3rd Wednesday
1-2:30pm EST
Topics include:
LLC formation
Opening business accounts
Building business credit
Working with financial institutions
Note: a personalized Zoom Link will be sent to email address used for registration prior to meeting date.
Hosted by:
Ms. Matthews
973-624-9535 x273
Email
Register HERE
Every 3rd Wednesday
3-4pm EST
Topics include:
Why credit matters
Types of credit
How to fix "bad" credit
How to build your credit
Note: a personalized Zoom Link will be sent to email address used for registration prior to meeting date.
Hosted by:
Ms. Matthews
973-624-9535 x273
Email
Register HERE
Topics include:
Hosted by:
Ms. Matthews
973-624-9535 x273
Email
Employment + Training Opportunities
Ladies Build Your Dream Career
This program prepares individuals to transition from pre-apprenticeship construction trades to apprenticeship programs at NO COST.
Classroom, on-site, and virtual instruction includes construction safety, supported scaffold, fall prevention, and much more.
We provide certifications to begin your career in construction.
Fill out this form if you interested in joining our January 2025 cohort.
Contact:
Ms. Corbin
973-624-9524 x228
Email
Our partners:
The New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development
Nextwave Safety Solutions
From the Urban League of Essex County and NewarkWorks
Learn about job opportunities in renewable energy. Training available for specific positions.
Targeted Opportunities include:
- Weatherization Installer Technician
- Quality Assurance
- Control Inspector
- Energy Efficiency Account Manager
- and more...
For information: (973) 624-9535 x228
PRUDENTIAL PATHWAYS Financial Wellness Series
We hear every day that many Americans are not financially prepared for their future. People find the financial planning process overwhelming and they don’t know where to begin.
Thanks to our partnership with Prudential Financial, the Urban League of Essex County is pleased to offer our “friends and family” a financial wellness educational series through Prudential PathwaysSM. Typically only offered to employees, Prudential PathwaysSM will provide practical, down-to-earth information that may help you and your family today, tomorrow, and beyond. It is designed to give you an understanding of the fundamentals of financial wellness through educational seminars.
CHASE BANK Financial Wellness Series
PAST SEMINARS:
Building and Managing Credit
Learn the basics of Credit Management. Your credit worthiness can impact your ability to borrow money, make purchases and so much more!
ALPHA ALPHA LAMBDA Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Economic Empowerment Series
PAST SERIES
Life Insurance and Retirement Planning
Understanding Entrepreneurship – Economic Empowerment Series
Making Money Make Sense: Banking & You. Your Financial Journey.
Buying Your First Home & Mortgage Informational
Sending Your Child to College
First Steps to Financial Freedom
Free tax Preparation
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is an IRS sponsored program, designed to provide FREE tax preparation for families making $60,000 or less.  Every year, the Urban League of Essex County in Newark, NJ trains and certifies volunteers, through the IRS Link and Learn Certification process, to become tax preparers and provide FREE tax preparation services to our community. VITA/TCE services are not only free, but they are also a reliable and trusted source for preparing tax returns, because all VITA volunteers who prepare returns must take and pass tax law training that meets or exceeds IRS standards. This training includes maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of all taxpayer information.
In addition to requiring volunteers to certify their knowledge of the tax laws, the IRS requires a quality review check for every return prepared at a VITA/TCE site prior to filing.
Please contact us at 973-624-9535 Ext. 273 for additional information.
For more information:
Dr. Gavin Taylor
Director
Financial Opportunity Center + Workforce Development
973-624-9535 x275
Need help finding assistance? Want to be listed as a resource?
Contact us using the form below and we’d be happy to help!