Sparking Financial Stability through Coaching

Building a strong financial foundation isn’t always easy, but it is possible with the right support. United Way Bay Area is helping residents gain a stronger financial footing through one-on-one coaching at SparkPoint Centers across the region.

SparkPoint Centers are family-friendly places where people can access a full range of services to help them get out of poverty. So far, almost 30,000 people have gotten help -- and 80% reduced credit or debt, and increased income or savings after enrolling in SparkPoint financial education coaching.  

First launched in 2009, SparkPoint Centers are based on the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Center for Working Families model that showed better results for families accessing multiple services under one roof. In one place, people can get free career coaching, job training, personalized plans, credit counseling and financial literacy courses.

At the same time, SparkPoint helps families meet their basic needs, while building plans for the future. Financial coaches work one-on-one with clients to recognize behavioral outcomes, set goals, brainstorm strategies, and set realistic action plans. The coaches value strengths, build motivation, and provide monitoring and accountability -- helping 62% of those coached reach their own financial goals.

Said Casey, who benefited from SparkPoint Center support, “Just having someone and some people in my corner, trying to figure out the day-to-day basic needs… I was able to not only thrive but get well beyond where I had wanted to go.”