MANCHESTER, Vt. – NeighborWorks will offer a free, four-part ‘financial empowerment’ class at the Manchester Community Library Monday nights from 6-8:00 p.m., starting April 20, 2015 and ending May 18, 2015. Financial empowerment class is for people who want to be more confident in their financial decisions and who want trustworthy advice and support. Space is limited. Contact Lynette Over at NeighborWorks to register: [email protected] or (802) 797-8600.

NeighborWorks’ expert financial coaches mix hands-on activities with easy-to-follow presentations that cover a range of topics including: goal setting and budgeting; expense tracking and spending habits; savings and emergency fund; and understanding credit, borrowing, and banking. People who want to own a home of their own some day are encouraged to attend.

The financial coaches are committed to helping people make the financial decisions that are right for them. Coaches will work with individuals and families to apply the skills and tools they learn in class to their own financial situation during one-on-one coaching; students can schedule an appointment after completing the class.  Financial coaches will work with individuals and families as much as each household needs to meet their financial goals—whether it be building and repairing credit or purchasing a home of their own.

The class includes a light meal. The first ten households to sign up who also complete all four classes will receive a $50 gas card. The class is sponsored by Berkshire Bank and is offered in partnership with Bennington Area Habitat for Humanity. Advance registration is required. Class dates are April 20, April 27, May 11, and May 18, 2015.

NeighborWorks of Western Vermont is a nonprofit, one-stop shop, providing all the answers and support homebuyers and owners need: homebuyer and financial management classes, realty, lending, home repair, energy efficiency and more.