Program Highlight-Financial Opportunity Center
In October 2020, LISC launched a Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) network to assist residents with low-to-moderate incomes to build family income and wealth. One of these sites is at Community Action Agency of New Haven (CAANH). Since its inception, CAANH has served 525 residents in Greater New Haven, with 99% of clients receiving two or more services. Approximately 501 individuals received income supports and financial counseling resulting in 82% of those eligible for benefits to increase their net income. LISC Connecticut interviewed CAANH’s financial coach about its FOC site.
Karahn Green is the Financial Capability Center Coordinator at Community Action Agency of New Haven. Karahn describes himself as a 24-year-old Black African American male from New Haven. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration in May 2020 from Johnson C. Smith University, an HBCU in Charlotte, NC. Today, Karahn is a certified financial education instructor who proudly gives back to his community.
Karahn Green, CAANH
Tell us about what problem this program/service solves?
The FOC program primarily focuses on assisting clients in avoiding financial mistakes. Although some people may have already made these mistakes, the FOC program assists them by providing them with the knowledge and resources they need to solve or improve their financial situation.
What attracted you to join this program/initiative?
Because there is a lack of FREE one-on-one financial education available in the community (New Haven and Hamden), having the opportunity to partner with LISC allowed our agency to gain the resources and knowledge needed to assist the community with this issue.
How does this initiative/program help your community?
The FOC program helps our community because it focuses on improving the financial bottom line for low- to moderate-income families. It helps people change their financial behavior in ways that encourage a long-term commitment to increasing income, decreasing expenses, building credit and acquiring assets, through one-on-one counseling and case management.
Is there an achievement or contribution that you are most proud of? Why?
Being able to help the people in the town and community where I grew up is a daily reward for me. Especially when the customers are younger than me because I wasn't given these opportunities and resources when I was their age. I am most proud of my work every day, not just at one particular time.
What do you think other people should know about this organization/program/initiative?
The work that is being done on a daily basis is life changing to many.