Our local partnerships make it possible for us to strengthen our impact on our communities. A few highlights of our regional initiatives include:
University of Maryland, Baltimore Community Engagement Center
Guidewell Financial has partnered with University of Maryland, Baltimore’s Community Engagement Center (1 N. Poppleton St., Baltimore, MD 21201) to provide financial education and counseling to the residents of West Baltimore. Year-round, on-site counseling is available alongside other core social services being offered at the Center, including health screenings, job readiness counseling, and community organizing workshops. A housing counselor is on-site all day on Wednesdays. Residents should call our housing department at 1-866-731-8486 for additional information or to make an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Hands on Banking for Military
Guidewell Financial is participating in an initiative sponsored by Wells Fargo to bring financial education to military members, veterans, and their families. Through this program, Guidewell Financial is presenting a series of in-person workshops at regional military bases and veteran facilities. Topics range from the basics of banking to planning for retirement. Currently Guidewell Financial has partnered with Dover Air Force Base to deliver monthly workshops and visits with Andrews Air Force Base quarterly. To review the curriculum, please visit the Hands on Banking for Military website.
2015-2016 Smart Growth Innovation Fund
Brought together by Capital One and CFED, Guidewell Financial was one of six nonprofit credit counseling agencies selected to spend a year thinking strategically about industry problems and exploring innovative solutions. Through an innovation research & design process guided by CFED, each of the agencies designed solutions to the challenges faced by their clients. The goal of the project was to develop solutions that bring valuable ideas and insights to the entire industry. For more information, please visit CFED's blog.
MyBudget Coach
Guidewell Financial has partnered with the Maryland CASH Campaign to bring an online financial coaching program to our Baltimore area clients. The program, called MyBudgetCoach™, helps low-to-moderate income individuals improve their ability to budget and make informed financial decisions. The program is part of a national evaluation study through the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For more information about Guidewell Financial’s coaching services, please visit our coaching page or reach out to one of our Financial Coaches at 1-800-642-2227.
Emergency Savings
Guidewell Financial recognizes the importance of having emergency savings for the unexpected job loss, medical bill, or car repair—and we want our clients to be financially prepared. We have partnered with PNC Bank to offer Guidewell Financial clients in our Debt Management Program (DMP) an opportunity to build savings. Currently the program is available to low-to-moderate income Baltimore City and County clients participating in the DMP, but will shortly be expanding to Anne Arundel, Carroll, and Howard counties. To find out more, please reach out to Dan Florea at [email protected] or 1-800-642-2227 ext. 3051.
Financial Stability Pathway
Guidewell Financial is part of a statewide network of service providers dedicated to improving the financial stability of working families. The Financial Stability Pathway project features an online referral tool designed to connect low-to-moderate income Guidewell Financial clients to other financial service providers in the Baltimore area, including: free tax preparation, financial education, financial coaching, and benefits screening. This initiative is in its fourth year. For more information, ask for a FSP counselor at 1-800-642-2227.
NerdWallet
Guidewell Financial participates in NerdWallet's Ask An Advisor online platform. Serving as an Advisor, we respond to questions about credit, debt, money management, and more. To view our profile, click here.
Howard County Housing
Guidewell Financial conducts monthly and quarterly homebuyer education workshops and individual counseling for residents participating in Howard County Housing’s homeowner and rental programs. Workshops cover topics including credit reports and scores, mortgage financing, and how to build a down payment. For additional information or to register for the next workshop, please visit Howard County Housing's website.
Delaware Financial Literacy Institute
Guidewell Financial has a strategic partnership with the Delaware Financial Literacy Institute. The “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drown in Debt” campaign features a toll-free hotline that connects Delaware residents directly with Guidewell Financial’s credit counselors. The goal is to raise awareness of personal finance resources and strengthen the financial capability of Delaware families.