BY MARY FAUTH

In collaboration with the nonprofit organization Money Fit, Blaine County Charitable Fund is offering a free Financial Empowerment strategy session from 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 26. The session will be conducted in English and Spanish at the BCCF offices in Hailey at 111 N. 1st Ave, Suite 2J next to Java.

Topics will include:

• How to create and maintain a personal budget

• Emergency financial preparedness

• Financial goal setting and how to reach them

• Effective saving strategies

BCCF began connecting clients with Money Fit’s services after learning about their regional resources through a grant both organizations operated under through Idaho Housing & Finance Association.

“Although employment and market factors will always keep many in our community struggling month to month, we often see our clients turning to high-interest payday loans and credit cards to manage their expenses. And of course, the effect is a mountain of debt and/or poor credit that will keep households buried longer than necessary,” said Maira Conlago, Family Care manager at BCCF.

Money Fit is dedicated to helping individuals and families take control of their financial future, said Todd Christensen, Money Fit’s Financial Educator and Counselor: “As a nonprofit, we believe that education, personalized guidance and the right resources can empower anyone to overcome financial challenges.”

Money Fit offers a variety of debt and credit services, financial education and is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. Moneyfit.org has a library of videos and articles.

One of BCCF’s clients, Debra Bates, received debt consolidating help through Money Fit.

“I was really struggling to pay my bills. I got to such a point that I was in so much debt that I didn't know how l was going to pay for groceries, or pay these companies or how I was going to live,” she said. “Thank heavens BCCF helped me with my rent so that I could pay down some of my debt, but they also helped me figure out how to consolidate my debt so I could have a lower payment and have some money to live on. It's such a weight off my shoulders. I'm so grateful to the Blaine County Charitable Fund and for those that have donated. I don't know what I would have done without it.”

Interested individuals can sign up for the two-part series by contacting Maira Conlago at 208-244-5205 ext. 701 or maira@blainecf.org. The deadline to sign up is Monday Sept. 22.

The Blaine County Charitable Fund is celebrating five years of creating a stable and resilient Blaine County community. BCCF provides grants to residents who live and/or work in Blaine County who lack other resources to obtain financial assistance.

BCCF has distributed nearly $2 million in emergency assistance to 1 in 11 Blaine County residents since the organization’s creation in March of 2020.

BCCF currently operates three core services:

• Housing Stability Assistance: Emergency rent assistance, first/last/deposit assistance, and eviction mediation settlements

• Gap Assistance: Childcare assistance and downpayment assistance

• Rapid relief: Other critical emergency needs, including but not limited to: expenses related to health, ability to work, maintaining a safe living environment, and temporary emergency hotel stays.

For more information or to apply for assistance, visit www.blainecf.org, call 208-244-5205, or stop by BCCF's Hailey offices located at 111 N. 1st Ave, Suite 2J.