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 Resilience is learning to bend, not break, when times are tough.
As student loan borrowers see their payments resume this month after a three-year pause, the Louisville Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) can help manage the burden.
Earlier this year, FEC financial counselors were trained by the nonprofit Student Borrower Protection Center in how to manage student loan repayments, and now they are ready to pass that knowledge on to their clients.
“We spent a lot of time learning how to prepare clients for what’s about to happen,” said Financial Counselor DeShawn Manning. “We talked about what those changes were and then how to incorporate those payments back into their budgets.”
The COVID-19 student loan forbearance (pause) is ending this month but Manning says there are many different options for borrowers to manage their repayments, including payment plans that are based on income and household size.
“These plans all generally all work the same way … based on your household size and your income, they will give you a reduced monthly payment,” said Manning.
Because student loans may change hands many times, some borrowers may not even be sure which institution currently holds their loan. If you have an outstanding student loan, you can check its status – and see how much you owe – at www.studentaid.gov.
After checking the website, Louisville student loan borrowers can make a free, one-on-one appointment with the Financial Empowerment Center by accessing its online appointment portal or by calling (502) 585-4622, ext. 6.
“We’ll be glad to sit down with you and help you figure out how to work your loan into your budget, and help you get it paid off,” said Manning.
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The Only Resource Guide You Need
The best little resource guide in Kentuckiana has EIGHTY PAGES of every single imaginable community resource, including caregiver resources, local ministries, financial assistance, food, health and fitness, government programs, housing, veterans services, and much, MUCH more. Bookmark it!
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Meals On Wheels Needs Drivers
Are you ready to make a big difference in the life of a senior? Meals On Wheels needs volunteers to deliver meals to homebound seniors. Volunteer opportunities are available Monday through Friday between 10am and 12 noon, and most routes usually take about one hour to deliver. Click here to learn how you can help.
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 CONGRATULATIONS to the honorees of this year's Gold Standard of Optimal Aging Award Ceremony, presented by the University of Louisville Trager Institute. 🙌 The ceremony celebrates people 85 years and older, who "lead engaged and flourishing lives and inspire those around them with their zest for life." This amazing group includes six people who are active volunteers with our Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).
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Dorothy
Thanks to a big helping hand from the LIHEAP program, Ms. Rackard was able to pay off her utility bills and move into a new Volunteers of America housing unit that she now shares with her new baby!
"This means the world to Dorothy and her family after living in a shelter for many years," said VOA in a thank-you letter to Neighborhood Place.
Congratulations, Dorothy!
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 If you weren’t “banking on” how cool the staff at the Office of Financial Empowerment is, you will after learning more about Joey Cecil.
Born and raised in Louisville, Joey Cecil attended Bellarmine University, earning undergraduate degrees in History and Political Science.
In 2013, Joey arrived at OFE as an unpaid intern, working to complete his MPA at the University of Louisville. After his internship, Joey hung around RCS for another two years, assisting with the Bank on Louisville initiative through the AmeriCorps VISTA program.
It’s been about a decade since then, and Joey currently holds the position of Financial Empowerment Coordinator at the OFE. His favorite part of the job? Getting clients to engage in their finances.
“People leave with something they should’ve had,” says Joey.
Joey believes everyone should have access to financial education somewhere in their K-12 schooling years, but for many Kentuckians, financial literacy just isn’t part of the curriculum, and still isn’t. So Joey educates people on what they were never taught.
In his spare time, Joey participates in bowling competitions (his average score is a 220!), and he’s a season ticket holder for both Louisville City FC and Racing Louisville FC. Joey is also a fan of pro wrestling, which he describes as a “complex male opera,” an avid reader (particularly any opus of John Grisham), and the proud owner of three cats.
 Summer vacay photos! 🏖 The dedicated RCS staff manages to get in a little summer vacation whenever we can. Chris Clements snapped this gorgeous nighttime shot of the Chicago skyline (LEFT) and Jennifer Mendez and her family had an awesome time ripping around the forests of Tennessee on ATVs.
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