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:
Gavin Taylor
Financial Literacy Manager
973-624-9535 x275
Email
Tanya Matthews
Financial Coach
973-624-9535 x273
Email
FREE WORKSHOPS + SEMINARS
"Take Control of Your Finances" Monthly Workshops
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF MONEY MGMT.
Every 1st
Wednesday
3-4pm EST
Meeting ID: 818 9768 9347
Passcode: 361333
FINANCIAL AID
PAYING FOR COLLEGE
Every 1st Thursday
1-2pm EST
Meeting ID: 863 5754 7297
Passcode: ULEC2023
FINANCIAL LITERACY
Every 2nd and 4th Thursday
9-11am EST
Meeting ID: 851 7751 8265
Passcode: 968951
INTRO TO INVESTING
Every 2nd Wednesday
1-2:30pm EST
Meeting ID: 868 5625 8394
Passcode: ULEC2023
STEPS TO STARTING A BUSINESS
Every 3rd Wednesday
1-2:30pm EST
Meeting ID: 831 9186 6929
Passcode: ULEC2023
CREDIT BUILDING BASICS
Every 3rd Wednesday
3-4pm EST
Meeting ID: 890 9123 3726
Passcode: ULEC2023
FINAL EXPENSES / BURIAL PLANNING
Every 4th Wednesday
2-3:30pm EST
Meeting ID: 828 3488 7287
Passcode: ULEC2023


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.
We encourage you to attend all monthly seminars in the 2023 series.
All workshops are from 1-2pm EST, virtual, and require registration except where noted.
Register for all WebEx workshops HERE
(note: all workshops may not be listed; please check back for the most current open workshops)
Wednesday, July 12, July 19, July 26 and August 2 from 1pm-2pm EST (Zoom)
Prudential Pathways: A Financial Wellness 4-Part Series
This series will cover topics such as setting your financial goals, protecting your assets through risk management, investment principles, healthcare planning strategies, retirement and asset distribution planning strategies, tax strategies, estate planning strategies, and how your employee benefits fit into your overall financial future.
Wednesday, August 9
Your Social Security Benefits
Wednesday, September 13
What You Should Know About Life Insurance
A Special Life Insurance Awareness Month Workshop
Wednesday, October 11
Retirement Your Next Chapter
Wednesday, November 1
Taking Control of Your Taxes
Wednesday, December 6
Top 5 Roadblocks to a Successful Retirement
Previous Topics:
First Steps to Financial Freedom
Creating Black Wealth - The Pursuit of Being Financially Free: A Special Black History Month Workshop
Retirement Strategies for Women - A Special International Women's Month Workshop
Retirement - Your Next Chapter
Fundamentals of Wills, Trusts, and Power of Attorney
Healthcare in Retirement


- Hybrid Classes
- Day & Evening Classes Available
- Financial Literacy
- Job-Readiness Training
- Job Placement Services
Basic Requirements:
- Must be SNAP recipient (Not WFNJ TANF)
- High School Diploma or Equivalency.
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 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.
In partnership with: United Way of Greater Newark
EMPLOYMENT + TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
From the Urban League of Essex County and NewarkWorks
New Careers in Green Energy
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