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WECO Fund, Inc. could not carry out its mission without the skills, support and commitment of many talented and very hard working community partners. Below are some examples of current partnerships in which WECO is fortunate to be involved.
City of Lakewood
WECO Fund Inc. has partnered with the City of
Bridge Street Project (in Ashtabula)
WECO Fund Inc. has partnered with Andover Bank
and the merchants on
Key Financial Education Center
As part of its Urban Initiative, KeyBank operates a full service Financial Education Center adjacent to its branch in the Buckeye Plaza in Cleveland's Buckeye neighborhood. The Center consists of a computer lab and a classroom. Two fulltime WECO employees manage the Center, teaching financial education classes both at the Center and in the community, providing one-on-one financial coaching and promoting financial awareness at neighborhood events.
Cleveland Scholarship Programs (IDA Program)
This project will provide program participants with college access counseling and match dollars for a total of 210 participants for post secondary education. Cleveland Scholarship Programs (CSP) has been awarded a $375,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from its Asset for Independence (AFI) program to set up a demonstration project in partnership with WECO Fund, Inc. CSP will also provide $375,000 in matching scholarship funds. Participants attend financial education classes and save $750 to earn a 4:1 match ($3,000) to be used toward education at any accredited college or university within the United States.
Cleveland Botanical Gardens (IDA Program)
Students participating in the Green Corps Program at Cleveland Botanical Gardens are eligible to utilize the IDA program to assist with post-secondary education. Upon completion of financial education and savings of $300, students earn a 3:1 match ($900) to be used toward educational expenses.
American Red Cross (IDA Program)
The American Red Cross - Greater Cleveland Chapter contributed match dollars to the IDA program to assist 55 individuals with tuition. Participants are required to take financial education classes, complete one-on-one coaching and save $200 . Once all requirements have been met, a 7:1 match ($1,400) is earned and the total $1,600 will be applied toward education and training in the State Tested Nursing Assistant Program.
Key Foundation
The Key Foundation is working with WECO to establish financial education initiatives in several cities in its footprint around the country. At present these cities include Portland, Denver, Albany, Syracuse, Seattle, Cincinnati and Akron. WECO staff helped develop a Request for Proposals and select final candidates; created the training curriculum; and is training the representatives from the nonprofits chosen in each city to implement the program.
Financial Education Partnerships
WECO Fund, Inc. partners with local groups to bring financial education and coaching to their members at their location. Class participants are eligible to sign up for one on one financial coaching when they complete the classes. Classes are tailored to the time and needs of the programs' participants. If you are interested in partnering with us please contact Christine Henry, Christine@wecofund.com or Esther Holtwick, Esther@wecofund.com. Our partnerships include but are not limited to the following organizations.
City Mission: Crossroads, Laura's Home
WECO presents a once a month class on credit; supplies participants with a copy of their credit report, and meets one on one with the participants to go over it.
Community Assessment and Treatment Services (CATS)
Through our partnership with the Key Bank WECO Fund Financial Education Center, WECO presents a series of five classes once a quarter to both the men and the women who are clients in the residential program.
Cuyahoga County
In conjunction with the Human Resources Department, WECO presents an occasional series of four Lunch and learn workshops to county employees.
Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization: The Westside Housing Center
WECO provides on-site financial education classes and coaching to residents of the neighborhood one day a week.
Northpoint Men's Shelter
WECO provides a once a month class on getting and maintaining a bank account to residents who are looking to find employment.
Parma Family to Family Collaborative
WECO provides a series of four financial education workshops once a quarter and offers follow up coaching to families who request it.
STAR Forums
WECO provides information on available classes and coaching once a month to ex-offenders returning from both federal and state institutions.
Towards Employment, NETWorks 4 Success (New Employment Training Works)
WECO provides two sets of two hour long classes once a month that includes giving participants a copy of their credit report and one on one financial coaching to those who request it.
UCIP-ASAP Union Construction Industry Partnership-Apprenticeship Skills Achievement Program
WECO presents three two hour long classes once a quarter that include getting a credit report and individual follow up coaching when requesting.
Villa Angela St. Joseph Academy
WECO provides once a month financial education to participants and their parents who are enrolled in the Marianist Urban Studies Program (MUSP)
Westside Catholic Center Women's Shelter, Zacchaeus Housing
WECO presents a series of six classes bimonthly in the evening to the shelter residents and meets one on one with the Zacchaeus Housing participants to provide budgeting help and financial coaching.