HomeFree-USA awards Southern University New Orleans $25,000 to advance student financial literacy
HomeFree-USA awards Southern University New Orleans $25,000 to advance student financial literacy
HomeFree-USA solidifies its partnership with 15th HBCU to expand financial education program for students.
Marcia Griffin, founder and CEO of HomeFree-USA, has been on a mission to strengthen people of color, elevate partners, and enhance communities across America.
On Monday, September 19, 2022, HomeFree-USA solidified a monumental partnership with Southern University at New Orleans when Griffin and Center for Financial Advancement executive director Gwen Garnett presented $25,000 to SUNO Chancellor James H. Ammons,Ph.D.
Through partnerships with universities, the Center for Financial Advancement creates paths to homeownership for students by providing financial education, professional development, as well as career growth opportunities.
The CFA and SUNO partnership will help to develop the whole student through education ranging from money management to homeownership and entrepreneurship. HBCU administrators like Ammons see the promise of partnering with Homefree-USA to elevate each student’s financial knowledge.
“We understand the importance of financial knowledge and homeownership for our students and for their families,” said Ammons during the Homefree USA Reaching Millions Conference in New Orleans.
HomeFree-USA partners with, recruits, trains, and places students from historically Black colleges and universities into internships and careers in partnering mortgage and real estate companies.
This SUNO partnership is one of the CFA’s current partnerships with 15 HBCUs to roll out a scalable model for financial education and is still growing. Nearly 800 students have completed the 8-month program at partnering universities.
CFA Scholars are exposed to credit, money management, and homeownership in order to become savvy consumers and future homeowners. Students are fully engaged in the program and participate in a Day of Empowerment, Learn to Earn sessions, and Mortgage Basics seminars.
“Scholars can even earn a stipend based on a scorecard for gaining financial knowledge,” said Gwen Garnett, CFA executive director. The CFA vision is supported by a host of banks and financial institutions that understand the benefits of investing in HBCU students.
HomeFree-USA is a national intermediary that oversees a network of more than 53 affiliated community and faith-based housing counseling agencies. HomeFree-USA and each affiliate are approved and regulated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
HomeFree-USA Center for Financial Advancement is on a mission to level the playing field and lessen the wealth gap. Griffin said, “when we partner, we win” and HomeFree-USA has been winning by creating powerful partnerships that are building bridges to savings, homeownership, and generational wealth.
