Gesa, a credit union in the Pacific Northwest, recently completed a three-part financial literacy workshop series in Centralia, connecting nearly two dozen community partners and educators with money management tools.
The workshop series, which took place at The Juice Box Public House, covered credit score fundamentals, budgeting strategies and debt reduction planning, according to a news release from Gesa. Gesa designed the workshops to showcase the educational resources available to community organizations serving those in Southwest Washington.
"Financial education is most effective when it meets people where they are, and that means partnering with the organizations already doing great work in our communities," said Brandon Allison, vice president of community impact at Gesa Credit Union. “Centralia has a strong network of groups supporting families and small businesses, and when those leaders gain new tools, that knowledge naturally spreads through the people they’re already connected to.”
Attendees included representatives from United Way of Lewis County, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Lewis County, the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce and the Centralia Downtown Association.
The participating organizations now have direct relationships with Gesa's Financial Education team, creating pathways for those they serve in Lewis County, such as local students, businesses and families, to access one-on-one guidance, specialized resources and community referrals.
Several attendees have already scheduled followup sessions to develop customized financial education programming, which will become part of their ongoing services and community outreach efforts, the release stated.
The credit union also offers Gesa University, a free online six-stage program designed to guide participants through key life milestones.
To learn more about Gesa's financial education programs and resources, visit www.gesa.com/education or contact the Financial Education team at education@gesa.com.
