United Way grants aimed to help people manage money

Seven local nonprofits are teaching people how to manage their money, thanks to grants from the United Way of Snohomish County and Boeing.

The United Way awarded $50,000 in grants for its fifth annual financial literacy program, funded by Boeing. The grants are meant to help nonprofits weave financial education into their other work.

This year, 16 organizations requested $173,000 to pay for programs that teach people how to save and spend wisely. United Way’s Families Matter Vision Council, a volunteer board, whittled that list down to $50,000 for seven programs.

The grant recipients are: the Arlington, Lake Stevens and Granite Falls family resource centers; Everett Boys &Girls Club; Housing Hope; Senior Services of Snohomish County; and Washington’s Community Alliance for Self-Help. The grants range from $3,028 for the Everett Boys &Girls Club to $11,638 for Housing Hope.

Many of this year’s recipients have won grants in the past. United Way estimates that nearly $200,000 has been given out in the past five years, reaching more than 1,400 families.

“Financial education is so important, and isn’t part of basic education,” said Lark Kesterke, director of community initiatives for United Way, in an email. “We often learn financial lessons through mistakes or misconceptions about money.”

Senior Services of Snohomish County is using a $7,859 grant to teach people about avoiding scams and to protect vulnerable consumers, especially seniors who aren’t familiar with the technology and tricks scammers use.

“Just recently, we’ve become more aware of abuse of seniors by financial exploitation,” grants coordinator Norm Frampton said. “This was a great way, when the United Way funding became available, to kind of jump on that gap in education in Snohomish County.”

The grant pays for seminars, a conference and some one-on-one casework for seniors. The program teaches people how to recognize and avoid scams, check their bank accounts and credit, and correct problems with credit reports.

“Scams are so prevalent,” Frampton said. “I think it’s so important for people to have that awareness. It’s really a community education piece.”

Other programs funded by the grants teach how to budget for a family, afford to live independently, and how to save for longterm goals like college or a house.

“Our hope is that through these grants, people will learn how to control money, not let money control them,” Kesterke said.

Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.