The Clark County Asset Building Coalition is...

Bank On Clark County connects residents to local banks and credit unions to ensure that residents have access to products and services that allow them to build assets and financial stability. Our partners offer a wide range of free or low-cost checking and savings accounts. Click here to find the bank or credit union that’s best for you.

Through one of our partner organizations, the Clark County Asset Building Coalition offers one-on-one debt and income counseling designed to teach the financial management skills necessary to maintain a family spending plan; use checking, debit and credit cards wisely; increase financial stability to cushion family emergencies such as illness or a job loss; establish and maintain good credit and create a plan of action to take back control of their finances, despite the difficult economic times, so that they can make the most of income, savings and assets. To begin a counseling relationship, please attend a free "Get the Facts" orientation session. Orientations are held the first and third Wednesday of every month from 6:00 – 7:30 pm at the Community Housing Resource Center. No reservations are required.

According to the IRS, many qualifying families never apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit, resulting in $80 million of unclaimed returns in Washington state alone. To increase the visibility of this credit, the Clark County Asset Building Coalition promotes local, free tax preparation sites in Clark County and offers free online resources for low-income people to prepare their own taxes at a centrally located site. During the most recent tax season, we distributed 14,000 flyers and helped taxpayers claim over $68,000 in Earned Income Tax Credit benefits. Check back in January 2012 for information on how to take advantage of free tax preparation assistance.

By providing financial education, we can help you overcome debt, repair credit, save and become financially self-sufficient. These opportunities are available in English and Spanish and are a free resource. Please call ahead if you are in need of a Spanish translator. We offer financial education classes as well as 90 minute workshops covering the following topics:

Making Ends Meet

This workshop is geared toward people who are potentially burdened by heavy debt loads and/or living paycheck to paycheck. While they realize the need to better manage their household financial situation, participants are not yet in a position to pursue long-term household budgeting and savings.

This workshop covers crisis management tools such as ways to leverage income, make informed decisions about competing financial priorities and address short-term financial shortfalls, helping reduce anxiety around household finances and take steps toward establishing a degree of basic household stability.

Budgeting and Saving

In this workshop, participants develop their money management skills to achieve and reinforce short-term household stability and security. Participants learn how to create and manage variable expenses and account for changes in income. Participants set short- and long-term goals in order to move into a more stable financial position.

Hands-On Banking

This workshop provides participants with an overview of banking services and the skills to use them successfully and responsibly. Participants learn how to make informed decisions when it comes to choosing a bank or credit union, establishing an account and selecting other financial services. Participants explore how to minimize cost and stress while proactively managing their accounts. This course can easily be tailored toward the needs of first-time bank account holders with more emphasis on the fundamental components of using a bank account such as writing checks, making deposits, withdrawals, wiring funds and using debit cards.

Building, Repairing and Protecting Credit

Participants in this workshop explore the fundamental components of building, repairing and protecting credit. Beginning with a basic introduction to credit and how it affects our lives, this workshop teaches participants to access their credit reports, dispute inaccurate information and address items that negatively affect their credit scores. In addition, participants explore how to make strategic decisions to increase their credit scores and how to protect themselves from identity theft and scams.

For a workshop schedule, visit here.

IDAs are matched savings accounts that help people save toward the purchase of an asset such as a home, car, computer or even a college education. To inquire about your eligibility for the program, contact Amy Reynolds at Share at (360) 256-5858