Financial Futures, a program of the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO,) provides free financial services to income eligable Vermonters living in Northwest Vermont. CVOEO is one of five Community Action Agencies in Vermont; serving primarily the northwestern corner of the state (Franklin, Grand Isle, Chittenden, Addison Counties). Since 1965 CVOEO has provided a wide variety of
vital services to approximately 8,000 households (just over 19,000 individuals) every year. These include Furniture Vouchers, Housing, Transportation, Emergency Fuel & Utility assistance, Emergency Food Shelves & Food Stamp outreach, Food & Nutrition education, Gardens Programs & Farm-to Family Coupons, Tax Preparation assistance, Information/Referral services, Case Management, Advocacy, and other locally based services. Approximately 145 employees and a number of volunteers work for CVOEO at approximately 18 locations, plus Head Start classrooms scattered around the Champlain Valley region. GROWING MONEY (Financial Education): One-one-one coaching to help individuals define and reach financial goals such as: managing spending, budgeting, repairing credit, saving and investing, opening bank accounts, dealing with creditors. MICROBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: One-on-one business counseling offers support with business plans, finding loans and grants, advertising and much more. VERMONT GREEN: Career Counseling and micorgrants available to individuals interested in exploring, starting or advancing a "green" career. Vermont Green offers help with career exploration, job search and work readiness, training and education, small business development, and support to overcome barriers to reaching career goals. IDA (Individual Savings Account): A matched-savings program that offers income-eligable Vermonters a 2:1 match on theor savings, or up to $3,000 savings in 2 years to be used for purchasing a home, attending post-secondary education, or starting/expanding a bisiness. CASH COALITION: A coalition of public and private organizations working to support Vermonters to achive financial goals, inclduing offering free Credit Report Review and Tax Counseling events.
