Achieving Financial Stability in Today’s Economy: Unique Programs in the Richmond Region

What is financial stability and what does it look like in today’s economy? According to University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center, nearly 25 percent of Virginia Households don’t earn enough money to meet their basic needs, and about 28 percent lack cash savings, stocks or other financial assets to cover short-term emergency expenses.

Many are unaware of programs such as MetroCash, a free tax preparation site that will assist individuals in making sure they claim up to $5,750 in earned income tax credit (EITC) if eligible or The Virginia Individual Development Accounts (VIDA) program that will match $2 to every $1 a saver puts into a designated VIDA savings account towards purchasing a home, starting a business or paying for school.  Many government, state and non-profit organizations work together to help individuals and families build their way out of poverty or simply better manage their finances to help them create better quality of life. Find out more about these programs and collaborations.

Join us for Start the Conversation Sunday, January 29 at 1:30 p.m. on WCVE PBS / WHTJ PBS

Guest Panelists: 
Dominique Derbigny, Program Director, MetroCASH
Heather Turbyne-Pollard, VP of Community Impact, United Way
Sabrina Blackett, Program Administrator, Dept. of Housing and Community Development/Office of Community Revitalization & Development

Don’t want to wait until Sunday or want to watch again?
You can watch the program here, including the web-only Questions and Answers segment.

Full episode:

Question and Answer Session:

The Community Idea Stations, in partnership with Leadership Metro Richmond, produces the Start the Conversation series and is hosted by Gene Lepley.