Financial Management
Each of our programs, while unique in their approach and objectives, strives to move an individual or family along a rational continuum towards independence by way of obtaining safe, affordable housing, a means of transportation and financial viability.
Open Hearth, Inc. has several financial management assistance programs available for residents
of Chester County and Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Please see below for more information.
Our award winning Financial Insight and Resource Management (FIRM) program is a comprehensive one-on-one assessment program centered on financial education. It is designed to help individuals and families gain basic awareness of their financial situation and oftentimes discover the root cause of their financial hardship.
FIRM works with the participant to map a solution to avoid similar problems in the future while also supporting the development and growth of families’ and individuals’ financial assets and resources.
Anyone is eligible for FIRM services regardless of their income level, and FIRM also serves as the fundamental element of and a portal into each of our programs.
Every participant that has a FIRM appointment will receive:
- Extensive budgeting support
- Financial/credit counseling
- Short and long-term goal planning
- Social service referrals
- Advocacy
If you would like to find out more information, please contact the Financial Navigation Team by phone (610) 280-1023 or email [email protected]
Open Hearth’s Family Savings Partner Program (FSP) is the ONLY county-wide asset development program to support the financial viability of individuals and families as they plan for their future. FSP provides a match of a family’s savings to be used toward the purchase of an asset goal such as a car, post-secondary education, or first home (based on available funding). To accomplish their goal, savers must systematically save for a minimum period of three months to be eligible for their savings match, in addition to meeting the financial education component of the program through a series of workshops (see Financial Workshops). Along the way, program staff provides essential support through social service referrals, progress updates, resources, and guidance.
Since the program’s inception, Open Hearth has supported the purchase of assets totaling more than $11 million by families at or below 80 percent of the median income guideline!
- I want to learn more about how to save for a home
- I want to learn more about how to save for a car
- I want to save towards my education, see below:
Eligibility Criteria:
- Saver must be a resident of Montgomery or Chester County
- Saver must have income
- Adjusted gross income must be less than 400% of the Federal Poverty Level OR the household must qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit
Those accepted into the Family Savings Partner Program are required to participate in 8 hours of financial education including Open Hearth’s Car Buying: Put Yourself in the Driver’s Seat and Good Credit – How to Get It workshops.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. If you would like to find out more information, please contact Taryn Alexander by phone (610) 280-1033 or email [email protected].
Fill out a Family Savings Partner Program Application
Our Financial Navigator serves as a point of entry for the United Way of Chester County Financial Stability Center located in Exton, PA. The Financial Navigator’s role is to complete an initial intake and financial assessment for individuals interested in accessing services located within the Financial Stability Center and to provide financial coaching. They also act as a resource coordinator in order to promote and achieve a client’s goal(s) of increasing income, decreasing debt, and increasing assets.
If you would like to find out more information, please contact the Financial Navigation Team by phone (610) 280-1023 or email [email protected].
Open Hearth offers FREE financial literacy workshops year-round which are facilitated by volunteers from professional business and financial service backgrounds on topics including, but not limited to: building a better credit report, budgeting and debt reduction, the car and home purchase process (from financing to the buying process) and the basics of retirement planning and saving.
All of Open Hearth’s workshops are strictly educational – no product sales or promotions are ever permitted – and FREE to anyone who wishes to attend. Prior registration is required.
Financial Management
You are viewing our financial management page
