165Bank Accounts Opened$536,285Money Saved |
473Credit Score Improved1060Accounts Brought Current |
Greater Memphis Financial Empowerment Center Clients Have Saved Over $500,000
Regina Morrison Newman, Shelby County Trustee, in partnership with non-profit service provider RISE Memphis, announced today that the clients of the Greater Memphis Financial Empowerment Center have saved in excess of $500,000.
Click below for the full press release...
Click below for the full press release...
| gmfec_milestone_press_release_070924.pdf |
Greater Memphis Financial Empowerment Center Clients Have Reduced Over $4,000,000 In Debt
Regina Morrison Newman, Shelby County Trustee, in partnership with non-profit service provider RISE Memphis, announced today that the clients of Greater Memphis Financial Empowerment Center (GMFEC) have reduced their debt by over $4,000,000.
Click below for the full press release...
Click below for the full press release...
| gmfec_milestone_press_release_010824.pdf |
Student Loan Repayment Begins again Next Month
Here are some tips for you as you prepare to restart these payments. You may be eligible to rework your payments based on an employment or situational change. At the very least, you should go the student loan website and check on your loan status.
| student_loan_repayment.pdf |
Greater Memphis Financial Empowerment Center Clients Have Reduced Over $3,000,000 in Debt
Regina Morrison Newman, Shelby County Trustee, in partnership with non-profit service provider RISE Memphis, announced today that the clients of Greater Memphis Financial Empowerment Center (GMFEC) have reduced their debt by over $3,000,000.
Click below for the full press release...
Click below for the full press release...
| gmfec_milestone_press_release_042623.pdf |
Trustee Newman on LIVE at 9 on WREG about GMFEC clients eliminating $1 million in debt!Trustee Regina Morrison Newman appeared on LIVE at 9 on August 30th to share the great news of Greater Memphis Financial Empowerment Center clients eliminating over $1,000,000 in non-mortgage debt! If you want FREE help working on reducing your debt, improving your credit score, increasing your savings plan or any other financial health issues, please call (901) 390-4200 or click here (can you make it a link to https://fecpublic.org/appointment-greatermemphis?) to request an appointment with a counselor! Check out our current brochure (English/Español)
https://www.wreg.com/on-air/live-at-9/shelby-county-trustee-offering-help-to-those-in-need-of-financial-counseling/ |
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GMFEC Annual Update presented to County CommissionersTrustee Regina Morrison Newman, the President/CEO of the RISE Foundation, and the Grants Manager for the Women's Foundation of Greater Memphis presented the GMFEC annual report to the Shelby County Board of Commissioners today. The results received high praise from the commissioners present and a promise to continue to support the mission of the GMFEC.
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Do you need help paying rent or utilities? Has your household been impacted by Covid-19?
You can get your past due rent and utilities bill paid! The Emergency Rent and Utilities program offers up to 12 months of relief payments, made directly to your landlord and/or MLGW. Eligibility is determined by income, and residents must also be able to demonstrate a loss of income due to Covid-19 and an unstable housing situation.
You may qualify if:
To learn more and fill out an application, visit www.home901.org/covid-resources or text HOME901 to 21000. See how the process works in the flow chart above.
You may qualify if:
- You are a renter in Shelby County
- Have an unstable housing situation
- Have proof of loss income due to COVID-19
- Meet the income requirements fount at https://home901.org/covid-resources/#FAQ
To learn more and fill out an application, visit www.home901.org/covid-resources or text HOME901 to 21000. See how the process works in the flow chart above.
BEWARE of COVID-19 Vaccination Scams
Some scams related to COVID-19 vaccines including offering to give people priority if they pay a fee and offering gift cards if you complete online surveys have arrived in the MidSouth. Don’t fall prey to these scammers. Below are a list of things to keep in mind as you prepare to be vaccinated or move into the post vaccination phase.
The City of Memphis is now operating public COVID-19 Vaccination Sites, Mondays – Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The vaccine is now available to all residents ages 16 and above. New appointments and current vaccination locations become available at noon every Friday on www.covid19.memphistn.gov . Appointments are required. Citizens should not arrive more than an hour before the scheduled appointment time. Citizens who do not have an appointment will be turned away.
That site also provides links to non-government entities offering vaccines, i.e., CVS, Kroger, Walgreens, Walmart, etc. Please remember that the government has no control over those vaccine appointments. If you are unable to register online or want to speak to someone to get your questions answered, you can call (901) 222- SHOT (7468) or (615) 552-1998 between the hours of 9 a.m.- 6:30 p.m. Seven days a week.
- Only Refer to the official vaccination website (www.covid19.memphistn.gov ) for information.
- Most likely, you will not need to pay out-of-pocket to get the COVID-19 Vaccine. Some of the pharmacy sites providing vaccines (CVS, Kroger, Walgreens, Walmart, etc.) may request to see your insurance card and may require a co-pay.
- Vaccines administered at official City of Memphis vaccination sites will be free of cost.
- Do not pay to put your name on a list to get the COVID-19 Vaccine.
- You will not be solicited door to door to receive the COVID-19 Vaccine.
- Only homebound individuals are being offered the vaccine at home. No one will show up unannounced to offer the vaccine.
- Do not complete any online surveys that come to your email address promising you a gift card for your completion.
The City of Memphis is now operating public COVID-19 Vaccination Sites, Mondays – Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The vaccine is now available to all residents ages 16 and above. New appointments and current vaccination locations become available at noon every Friday on www.covid19.memphistn.gov . Appointments are required. Citizens should not arrive more than an hour before the scheduled appointment time. Citizens who do not have an appointment will be turned away.
That site also provides links to non-government entities offering vaccines, i.e., CVS, Kroger, Walgreens, Walmart, etc. Please remember that the government has no control over those vaccine appointments. If you are unable to register online or want to speak to someone to get your questions answered, you can call (901) 222- SHOT (7468) or (615) 552-1998 between the hours of 9 a.m.- 6:30 p.m. Seven days a week.
What are YOU going to do with your stimulus check
With a new round of stimulus payments dropping over the next few weeks and many folks getting Earned Income Tax Credits, it’s a great time to make sure you are putting that money to the best use. One-on-one confidential financial counseling is totally FREE at the Greater Memphis Financial Empowerment Center! Our counselors are ready to virtually meet with you to review your financial situation and help you develop a plan. Counselors can also help you make sure the government has your bank account information for direct deposit and even refer you to a Bank on Memphis Coalition member to open a safe, affordable bank account if you currently don’t have one.
Call (901) 390-4200 or go to https://fecpublic.org/appointment-greatermemphis to request an appointment.
Call (901) 390-4200 or go to https://fecpublic.org/appointment-greatermemphis to request an appointment.
Housing, Mortgage, Rent and utility Assistance Programs Available Again
Memphis and Shelby County are now accepting applications from citizens whose ability to pay rent and/or utilities have been impacted by COVID-19.If you are a resident in a rental property and need help with rent and/or utilities, please click here to apply. PLEASE NOTE: Only complete applications will be considered. You will need to upload proof of income for all income earners in your household, proof of COVID-19 hardship if you have experienced any, a copy of your lease and any late payment or eviction papers if you are requesting rent assistance, and a copy of your utility bill if you are requesting utility assistance.
Landlords with participating tenants must also provide certain information. Landlords who are planning to accept payments from the program should apply here.
Shelby County Rent, Mortgage and Utility Assistance
Shelby County residents who have lost income due to a recent, documented crisis may qualify for utility, rent, or mortgage assistance. The application is available Monday through Friday from 7:30am until 10:30am, excluding holidays. For more information, please visit here.
Housing will be awarded monthly over the next year based on a weighted average. Those facing immediate eviction or utilities cutoff are addressed first if other criteria are met. Applications are being accepted for the first of the month through March 14th.
Emergency Shelter
Shelby County families with minor children who are homeless may be eligible for placement if shelter is available. Please visit MIFA for program requirements. Applications are available from 7:30am to 2:00pm Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Additionally, if you know of anyone in need of immediate shelter, please call the 24-hour homeless hotline at (901) 529-4545.
The links below provide additional information from the Commercial Appeal and the Daily Memphian:
Commercial Appeal - Memphis renters to receive rent, utility assistance starting the week of March 15
Daily Memphian - Rent and utility assistance challenges "first-come,first-serve" format
Landlords with participating tenants must also provide certain information. Landlords who are planning to accept payments from the program should apply here.
Shelby County Rent, Mortgage and Utility Assistance
Shelby County residents who have lost income due to a recent, documented crisis may qualify for utility, rent, or mortgage assistance. The application is available Monday through Friday from 7:30am until 10:30am, excluding holidays. For more information, please visit here.
Housing will be awarded monthly over the next year based on a weighted average. Those facing immediate eviction or utilities cutoff are addressed first if other criteria are met. Applications are being accepted for the first of the month through March 14th.
Emergency Shelter
Shelby County families with minor children who are homeless may be eligible for placement if shelter is available. Please visit MIFA for program requirements. Applications are available from 7:30am to 2:00pm Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Additionally, if you know of anyone in need of immediate shelter, please call the 24-hour homeless hotline at (901) 529-4545.
The links below provide additional information from the Commercial Appeal and the Daily Memphian:
Commercial Appeal - Memphis renters to receive rent, utility assistance starting the week of March 15
Daily Memphian - Rent and utility assistance challenges "first-come,first-serve" format
Welcome to the Greater Memphis Financial Empowerment Center
For the second year, the Greater Memphis Financial Empowerment Center (GMFEC) sponsored by Regina Morrison Newman, Shelby County Trustee, is a community partner in Volunteer Memphis MLK Days of Service. Due to the pandemic, most events are virtual. The GMFEC is hosting four webinars on key financial topics. For more information, go to www.volunteermemphis.org
To attend any of the GMFEC financial workshops, simply click on the links below:
Budgeting Basics – Friday, January 15th from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84556841014?pwd=ekVFdGxFaGs5LzE0Rk1MOWNNWDhXQT09
Establishing Credit – Monday, January 18th from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83257078278
Improving Credit - Monday, January 18th from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81228573811
Importance of Having a Mainstream Banking Relationship – Monday, January 18th from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83022764673
To attend any of the GMFEC financial workshops, simply click on the links below:
Budgeting Basics – Friday, January 15th from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84556841014?pwd=ekVFdGxFaGs5LzE0Rk1MOWNNWDhXQT09
Establishing Credit – Monday, January 18th from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83257078278
Improving Credit - Monday, January 18th from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81228573811
Importance of Having a Mainstream Banking Relationship – Monday, January 18th from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83022764673
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Education Department Extends Student Loan Payment Freeze through JanuaryThe student loan payment freeze has been extended through January 2021. Click here for the full article
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Unemployment Recipients may be surprised come April 15
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For those who may not know, unemployment is considered taxable income. If you didn't have any withheld by the state, you may owe a good bit next April. Contact the GMFEC at (901) 390-4200 or go to https://fecpublic.org/appointment-greatermemphis for an appointment to discuss options.
https://dailymemphian.com/section/business/article/18362/unemployment-recipients-may-be-surprised-come?utm_source=email_edition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=morning_2020-11-29 |
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EVICTION MORATORIUM UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2020
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The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a nationwide eviction moratorium that goes into effect on Friday, September 4, 2020 and runs through the end of the year. This is great news for those who have been struggling to pay their rent due to income loss as a result of the pandemic.
For those who need to take advantage of this, the attached form must be completed and provided to your landlord. Once you have done this, reach out to the Eviction Prevention Program (http://home901.org/covid-resources/) for further assistance including potential funding to help you pay your rent and not fall further behind before January. Declaration to Landlord Form
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Financial Advisors Needed!
The GMFEC has an exceptional opportunity for two individuals who have a desire to help Shelby County residents improve their financial footing through free one-on-one counseling, check out the posting below!
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“On behalf of the GMFEC, we are thrilled to join in the efforts to build stable financial footing and housing security for all County residents.”
Regina Morrison Newman, Shelby County Trustee |
Eviction Prevention Program To Launch in Early July 2020
Shelby County Government and the City of Memphis along with several other entities are launching an eviction prevention program in early July. Funded in part by CARES Act money and in-kind legal services donations by Memphis Area Legal Services and the University of Memphis Law School, the group will work together with several non-profits focused on housing and counseling including United Housing, Shelby County Community Services Agency, Neighborhood Preservation, Inc., BLDG Memphis and the Greater Memphis Financial Empowerment Center (GMFEC) sponsored by the Trustee’s office, to help save renters from eviction. Rental property owners are a part of this project and will be involved in entering into payment plans with the renters currently behind on their rent. Innovate Memphis will provide analysis and results of the program. The pandemic has exacerbated the long-standing eviction problem in Shelby County. When the moratorium on evictions expired in mid-June, there were 9,000 evictions pending with 300 scheduled for the first day’s court docket. In addition to the financial aspect of the program, the hope is to prevent increasing homelessness and improve the financial outlook for financially at risk residents. Renters will have to apply and be approved based on criteria about their status and their landlord’s willingness to participate among other things. Once approved, they will then be referred for financial counseling at the GMFEC to help them get back on more solid financial footing. The fund has just over $2,000,000, most of which is slated to help cover the back rent. “I believe that this program can be the beginning of a best practice for Shelby County as we work to prevent homelessness across the continuum of housing insecurity. We have an opportunity here to intervene at the intersection of the courts and potential housing instability which a gap we hadn’t done as much work in before. I am very proud of the community partners who have come together in probably the most unselfish, collaborative, focused on the people effort I have seen in a really long time. I am hopeful that we will see positive impacts not just during COVID, but for the long term good of Shelby County individuals and families.” Dorcas Young Griffin, Division Director, Division of Community Services More details will be provided as soon as they are available. https://www.facebook.com/GMFEC/posts/3129382463775302 |
Help for People Facing EvictionIf your income and employment have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and not yet recovered, Regina Morrison Newman, Shelby County Trustee and the Greater Memphis Financial Empowerment Center (GMFEC) want to help you navigate a path to resolving eviction situations.
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Below is a list of agencies and groups that are helping people facing eviction now that the eviction moratorium has been lifted. There are currently 9,000 eviction cases pending in Shelby County courts with 300 disposed of on the first day!
Contact any of these groups for assistance in navigating eviction proceedings:
Keep in mind that many of these agencies may still be working remotely, so it is best to call first.
If you want help reworking your budget, negotiating with creditors or just to review your current credit situation, please contact the GMFEC at (901) 390-4200 or https://fecpublic.org/appointment-greatermemphis for an appointment. Our counselors are meeting with clients via telephone or video chat.
Contact any of these groups for assistance in navigating eviction proceedings:
- Memphis Area Legal Services, (901) 523-8822, 22 N. Front, 11th Floor
- Community Legal Center (901) 543-3395, 243 Adams
- 901LegalConnect.org, (901) 527-3573, 145 Court, Suite 301
- 2nd Saturday Legal Aid Clinic, next set for 10 to 11:45 a.m., July 11, Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
- Shelby County Community Services Agency (901) 222-4281, 3772 S. Hickory Ridge Mall, No. 516
- Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association, (901) 527-0208, 910 Vance
- Community Alliance for the Homeless, (901) 527-1302, 44 N. Second
Keep in mind that many of these agencies may still be working remotely, so it is best to call first.
If you want help reworking your budget, negotiating with creditors or just to review your current credit situation, please contact the GMFEC at (901) 390-4200 or https://fecpublic.org/appointment-greatermemphis for an appointment. Our counselors are meeting with clients via telephone or video chat.
GMFEC Response To COVID-19
We are launching a new tool has been developed to make scheduling a remote-access appointment with our counselors easier. Please go to https://fecpublic.org/appointment-greatermemphis to request your appointment. You will receive a call within 48 hours to schedule your appointment.
As we traverse this unbelievably unstable time, the Trustee, RISE and the GMFEC wanted to let you know that we are still here for you, our shared clients and any new clients that may reach out to you needing guidance on how to handle any financial challenges they may be facing.
Our GMFEC counselors are fully functional by working remotely offering telephone and video call options. They are currently reaching out to all of our existing clients to offer assistance in the following areas:
Our counselors are also available to work with new clients during this time. We have the necessary client permissions for new clients available electronically, so all client interactions can happen via telephone or video conference until such time as the COVID-19 crisis has passed, and we are able to meet with them in person again. If you would prefer to call, you can leave a message at our main number (901) 390-4200.
As we traverse this unbelievably unstable time, the Trustee, RISE and the GMFEC wanted to let you know that we are still here for you, our shared clients and any new clients that may reach out to you needing guidance on how to handle any financial challenges they may be facing.
Our GMFEC counselors are fully functional by working remotely offering telephone and video call options. They are currently reaching out to all of our existing clients to offer assistance in the following areas:
- Identifying and connecting to public benefits
- Budgeting in the face of income volatility
- Working with creditors (student lenders, credit card companies, car lenders, mortgage lenders, etc.) to figure out more advantageous interest rates or payments plans including temporary suspension of payments
- Referring to partner agencies for social service assistance, if necessary
Our counselors are also available to work with new clients during this time. We have the necessary client permissions for new clients available electronically, so all client interactions can happen via telephone or video conference until such time as the COVID-19 crisis has passed, and we are able to meet with them in person again. If you would prefer to call, you can leave a message at our main number (901) 390-4200.
The Greater Memphis Financial Empowerment Center (GMFEC), a program of the Shelby County Trustee, in partnership with RISE Foundation, provides all residents with free, one-on-one financial counseling.
Not just another program, HELP for as long as you need it!
Who We Are |
What we do |
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The GMFEC is a Shelby County Trustee program in partnership with RISE Foundation, sponsored by the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis, and made possible by a grant from the Cities for Financial Empowerment (CFE), and with contributions from Shelby County Government, Shelby County Assessor’s Office, Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division, United Way of the Mid-South, the Assisi Foundation, Bank On Memphis, and the City of Memphis. It is a “Driving the Dream” program of the United Way.
Our professionally trained financial counselors help clients create budgets, open safe and affordable bank accounts, explain credit reports, guide you on how to decrease debt and increase savings, and much more. Vertical Divider
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The GMFEC offers free, one-on-one professional financial counseling to all Shelby County residents.
Certified financial counselors are available for personalized guidance and can help you deal with a wide range of personal financial issues. Need help managing or reducing your household debt? Want advice on how to build or restore your personal credit? Have a budget but need some specific tips on how to better save for retirement or other goal? Counselors can help you:
Services are always free and available to all Shelby County residents regardless of income. |
Where we are LocatedGMFEC Hub Location
1355 Lynnfield Rd, Bldg B, Ste 101 Memphis, TN 38119 By Appointment Only (901) 390-4200 or register for an appointment online at https://fecpublic.org/appointment-greatermemphis Multiple co-locations available throughout Shelby County for the convenience of our clients. |