Stories of Service: Building Financial Confidence
During Community Action Month, we’re spotlighting the dedicated staff and impactful services that help our neighbors build stronger, more stable lives.
Meet Will
“It brings me joy that I can make a positive impact in our clients’ lives,” Will shares. “I am surrounded by care-giving colleagues. It brings comfort to know that we all care about our clients and will go above and beyond for them if we can.”
For Will, a staff member who joined the Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County (CAP-HC) team in March 2024, this work is more than a job—it’s about creating lasting change. He leads CAP-HC’s Financial Wellness Workshops and Counseling Services, equipping Hennepin County residents with the tools they need to take control of their financial futures.
Practical Tools, Real Empowerment
CAP-HC’s Financial Wellness programming helps people build essential skills in budgeting, credit, savings, and more. Through interactive workshops and personalized 1-to-1 consultations, clients learn how to balance income and expenses, plan budgets, understand their credit reports, and set financial goals that are right for them.
Meeting People Where They Are
People often discover Financial Wellness services through referrals from CAP-HC’s Vehicle Repair Program, or partner organizations like 211, CLUES, and VEAP. Once connected, clients receive workbooks, learn information, and receive personalized guidance to help them take practical steps toward financial stability.
“Many of our clients come in with limited income needing to learn how to make a budget or they have poor credit and want to know how to improve it,” Will says. “Our goal is to help people create a plan, create a budget, and set goals to help them move forward.”
A Personal Connection
Will recalls one client who had no knowledge of credit or how to build it. After attending a workshop, the client began asking deeper questions and felt like they had the knowledge to take the first steps toward improving their credit. Will even shared his own story with them to make the process more relatable. “The client left feeling confident they knew what steps to take to build their own credit,” he said.
Helping People Build a Better Future for Themselves
CAP-HC’s Financial Wellness program is one part of our holistic approach to fighting poverty. By providing practical resources, we help families and individuals stabilize their financial footing and build toward a better future. Will shared, “this program is important because it gives people a plan,” and having a plan is vital so they can break the cycle of financial stress and build toward prosperity.
Learn more about our Financial Wellness programs.
Want to support this work?
Donate at caphennepin.org/donate in honor of Community Action Month. Your gift helps build financial confidence—and brighter futures—for your neighbors.