Green Mountain United Way’s Working Bridges program which connects working Vermonters to assistance and human services through their employer recently received a grant for $10,000 from NorthCountry Federal Credit Union in support of this work.
“NorthCountry is one of our wonderful partners across many levels of the work we do,” said Tawnya Kristen, Green Mountain United Way’s Executive Director. “They not only support our work with local working Vermonters and their families with this grant, but they also partner with us to develop banking products, like loans and checking accounts, that are now available to those who often struggle to develop a relationship with a bank.”
Working Bridges is a program that supports employees through their employer. Employers who have partnered with Green Mountain United Way and Working Bridges have a resource coordinator come on site once or twice a week and talk with employees about challenges they’re facing in their personal life – whether financial or otherwise. The resource coordinator, who is also a trained financial planner, helps the employee access resources, navigate social services if needed, apply for an Income Advance Loan, or just takes a look at their budget.
“Working Bridges supports brighter financial futures for people by supporting them with the education, skills, and tools they need,” states Bob Morgan, NorthCountry Federal Credit Union’s CEO. “We are honored to be involved in bringing about this positive change for the individuals it serves.”
Recently, Green Mountain United Way was able to help a single mother who works in health care obtain more heating oil despite the rapidly rising cost. Another employee lost time and wages at work because they stayed home to care for an ailing relative. A Working Bridges resource coordinator was able to help her find the money to pay several bills, including her car payment, that she was behind on. These are helpful hands up, not hand outs, to those who are working long hours at essential jobs and often do not qualify for traditional social services.
Programs like Working Bridges rely on collective partnerships and investments from partners in our community, local businesses, and individuals in order to continue to support our local working Vermont families. For more information on Working Bridges, please visit http://gmunitedway.org or email info@gmunitedway.org.