Financial Empowerment Center

One-on-one financial counseling at no cost

Need help managing or reducing your household debt? Do you want advice on how to build or restore your credit? Are you trying to buy a new home? We can help you make a plan.

Family Service’s certified financial counselors meet with you to determine a realistic plan to meet your goals.

Small changes can make a big difference; saving only $3 a day is over $1,000 a year!

Our Financial Empowerment Counselors help free of charge no matter income or age. Everyone’s financial goals are different, and we work to create an individualized plan for you to meet your specific goals and needs.

Reduced total debt by over $20.5 million

Raised the credit score of 1,227 people by 35 points or more

Helped 47 people purchase homes

*2013-2019 statistics

Overview

Family Service Financial Empowerment Center provides unlimited, free, one-on-one financial counseling sessions to help you:

  • Reduce your debt
  • Deal with debt collectors
  • Improve your credit
  • Build your savings
  • Create a budget
  • Open a bank account
  • Reduce your student loans
  • Prepare for a large purchase like a home or a car
  • Reach your financial goals
  • And more. Family Service Financial Empowerment Center helps you along your financial journey.
Pave the way for future success by taking the time to discuss your finances with a certified professional counselor. Schedule Your Appointment Today
Everyone can strengthen their financial literacy and their relationship with money. Financial counseling helps you assess your credit score, your debt, your savings, and establish goals; helping you take control of your monetary situation and take the right moves to get to wherever you would like to be.

We understand talking about money is personal and can be difficult. Our financial counselors listen without judgment and keep your information confidential. Financial stressors are at the center of many of life’s challenges; tackling them can help create a strong foundation for growth.

Our financial counselors not only help with one-on-one counseling, they also offer insight into workforce training, community resources, Family Service’s programs, and community partners who align with your financial goals. Your financial goals are often times tied to other goals in your life. By integrating financial counseling with other programs and community resources, you are strengthening all areas of your life.

Family Service Financial Empowerment Center opened in 2013 and is modeled after and funded by Cities for Financial Empowerment. All of our counselors are professionally trained and certified. Being financially stable and feeling confident in handling your finances affects all areas of your life. Our financial counseling is integrated into public services including housing services, foreclosure prevention, workforce development, asset building, and more.

The Financial Empowerment Center is a partnership between Family Service and the City of San Antonio.

Financial and Housing Recovery Center

In partnership with the City of San Antonio, Family Service launched the Financial and Housing Recovery Center.

The Center helps with applying and enrolling in benefit programs, connecting to emergency assistance, applying for rental and utility assistance, and completing applications for federal and state programs (such as Medicaid and SNAP). The Financial and Housing Recovery Center specifically helps you attain local and federal benefits.

The Financial and Housing Recovery Center helps not only with today’s recovery but also the long-term needs of our community. The Recovery Center is intertwined with our financial counseling services to help individuals and families become more financially stable and move them forward for sustained success.

Learn more by calling us at 210-431-4425.

Locations and Times

Appointments can be completed over the phone or in person, according to your preference.

Family Service financial counseling is available by appointment at four locations throughout San Antonio.

Daytime, evening, and weekend appointments are available. Call today to schedule yours. 210-431-4425

Financial counseling services are also available through our Rural Area Services team. Learn More
  • Family Service Neighborhood Place: 3014 Rivas St San Antonio, TX 78228
  • Claude Black Community Center: 2805 E. Commerce San Antonio, TX 78210
  • Westside Education and Training Center: 563 SW 40th San Antonio, TX 78237
  • Eastside Education and Training Center: 4551 Dietrich Rd. San Antonio, TX 78219

Testimonials

Examples of the amazing journeys our families take. Some names have been changed to protect their confidentiality.

Lylene is a single mother of three. She was newly divorced when she met with Pat at Family Service’s Financial Empowerment Center for the first time. Together, they figured out a budget, sorted Lylene’s credit and connected her to other resources in the community and at Family Service. Pat urged Lylene to continue her education with Family Service’s high-quality substitute training and CDA certification. Lylene just bought her first home. She’s finishing her Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Services. “The support system Family Service provides made the different – if I didn’t know about these resources, I wouldn't be here today. Pat was an extra support system, if it wasn’t for her I would have stayed discouraged. Now I’m not struggling, I have spending money, I get better pay. I have stability and security for my family.”

The Gutierrez family was facing foreclosure and was being sued by the bank for defaulting on a business loan. After meeting with Family Service’s Financial Empowerment Center counselor Jennifer, the Gutierrez family created a budget and started saving money. They started keeping track of business expenses and income, as well as a household budget. The savings added up quickly and within 9 months, they were able to save over $7,000. As a result, the Gutierrez family was able to keep their home out of foreclosure.

The Thompson family came to the Financial Empowerment Center to learn about purchasing a home. Mr. Thompson recently became disabled and had over $200,000 in medical debt as a result of his condition. While working with Financial Empowerment Center counselor Luis, the Thompsons were able to create a budget and discuss saving. They also discussed how to handle their medical debt and they requested assistance from the hospital. The hospital reviewed their case and they now owe only $762. The family is continuing to work with Luis to create a plan to save money to purchase a home. They have started a match savings program through Goodwill.

Dual Generation

Helping all generations of our families through child & youth development services and workforce development

In partnership with United Way’s Dual Generation Program, families on the East and West side enrolled in Financial Empowerment also enroll in our in-home parent education courses and Workforce Development courses to help reduce household stress and create foundational stability.

Eligibility: families with children under the age of 10
Locations: A focus on families living with zip codes 78218, 78219, 78215, 78208, 78220, 78222, 78202, 78203, 78205, 78210, 78207, 78227 and 78237

Contact us

FAQS

Find the answers to your questions here

Is financial counseling at the Financial Empowerment Center free?

Yes! Family Service’s financial counseling through our Financial Empowerment Center is free, no matter your age or income. During your first appointment with your financial counselor, you’ll discuss your current financial situation and your financial goals. From there, you and your counselor will discuss a schedule that works with your other life commitments. We offer free sessions as frequently or infrequently as you can come.

How long are the financial empowerment appointments?

Appointments vary according to your financial goals. On average, meetings last an hour.

How many times can I see a financial counselor?

As many as you would like. Our financial counselors are there to help support you reaching your goals. Since every goal is individualized to each specific person, some individuals may need more appointments than others.

How does financial counseling work?

Family Service’s financial counseling is not a class or training. It is a one-on-one meeting with yourself and your partner – if you wish – to discuss your current financial assets and your financial goals. One of our counselors helps you navigate the world of money and advise what could be the best course of action to reach your specific goals. The counselors could discuss everything from budgeting to student debt to establishing the foundation to purchase a home.

Do I have to go to a specific place for financial counseling?

Family Service’s financial counseling is available at four locations: Family Service Neighborhood Place, Claude Back Community Center, Eastside Education and Training Center, and Westside Education and Training Center. Your appointment can be made at any of our facilities. Currently, we are also completing appointments over the phone.

What training do the financial counselors go through?

All of our financial counselors are trained and certified through the Cities for Financial Empowerment (CFE) Fund curriculum.

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Contact

Questions? Call us at 210-431-4425.