Financial Empowerment Program

Chris’ family spent up to six hours on the bus each day getting from their San Jose apartment to kindergarten and elementary school. Thanks to our Ways to Work program, his family was able to purchase a used Dodge Durango and cut their commute to less than an hour, opening up time for visits to the park and home-cooked meals.

Hard-working families don’t have money to waste.  Our Financial Empowerment Services help members of our community acquire tools to reduce spending and increase savings.  By improving financial literacy, we reduce reliance on predatory lenders and help our local families along the road to self-sufficiency.

Our Programs

Lending Circles
A good credit history is needed to do just about everything these days. Without it, you face higher interest rates and may not qualify for the loans you need. Together with Mission Asset Fund, Peninsula Family Service offers an innovative program to help our neighbors build their credit and gain access to the financial mainstream. > more

Debit Card Program
Participants have access to a prepaid debit card with no monthly fees or minimum balance. Participants can avoid check-cashing or banking fees by using direct deposit to load their debit card, and the universally accepted card cannot be overdrawn. > more

Start2Save
Small problems can spill into other areas of life, causing financial hardships difficult to overcome.  Our Start2Save program offers 2:1 matched savings, helping participants anticipate bumps in the road by establishing a financial safety net. > more

Ways to Work
Obtaining reliable personal transportation can be a challenge, especially for families for whom conventional credit isn’t an option.  By providing low-interest car loans, our Ways to Work program is easing commutes, improving access to childcare and restoring credit scores. > more

Financial Workshops
Whether opening a checking account, saving for retirement, or taking out a loan, we face difficult decisions on a daily basis. Improving financial literacy teaches participants to be proactive, avoiding stumbling blocks before they become insurmountable walls. > more

Second Careers Adult Employment Program
Whether you’re coming out of retirement, looking for a career change, or have experienced a layoff, we can help with job training and placement, as well as interview and resume preparation, preparing older adults for re-entry into the workplace. > more