Here’s a finding that reframed how we think about measuring our own program’s effectiveness. Early on, we assessed our financial literacy curriculum using standard, generic financial literacy assessments, the kind […]
A Case Manager’s Question I Still Can’t Answer
“I search for financial literacy programs for my clients, and I find dozens of options. They all say they teach financial literacy. But when I send clients, they come back […]
The 73% Number
That’s the share of our own residents who told us the financial literacy program we’d referred them to was “not relevant to my current situation.” We tracked this ourselves between […]
Useless at Zero Income
“The budgeting worksheet is useless when you have zero income. I need information about applying for benefits and emergency assistance.” That’s a direct quote from a resident evaluation. Read it […]
The Eviction Record
Story from the field: a real disconnect between curriculum and survival need. Anchored to: resident evaluation quote about needing housing help despite already knowing how to budget Before we redesigned […]
Three People, Three Definitions, Same Word
Picture three case managers in three different offices, each trying to do right by their clients. One works from the OECD’s definition of financial literacy: knowledge and understanding of financial […]
35% of Our Residents Have College Degrees
Here’s a number that should unsettle anyone who thinks financial literacy education is primarily about closing a knowledge gap: at Fresh Start Housing, roughly 35% of the residents who come […]
Investment Advice for Someone Sleeping in Their Car
A case manager said something to me recently that I haven’t been able to shake. She’d referred a client — someone about to lose their apartment — to a financial […]
Why ‘budgeting skills’ isn’t the same as financial literacy.
“Janet’s 98th Percentile” When Janet entered our transitional housing program, she had a bachelor’s degree in business administration and fifteen years of corporate accounting experience. She could calculate compound interest […]