The FEC empowers low-income residents to achieve lasting financial well-being — all at no cost to participants.
The Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) is a collaborative initiative led by United Way Monterey County that brings together financial coaching, business skills development and business support services, housing navigation and stabilization services, and employment and new business support services that are delivered by experienced partners in a single, coordinated system. Partner agencies work one-on-one with clients to build capacity, set goals, create action plans, and stay accountable.
Services are delivered through a mix of in-person , remote or hybrid formats to increase access across Monterey County. The model incorporates national best practices, adapted to the local context.
HOW THE FEC WORKS
The FEC emphasizes warm handoffs, care coordination, and closed-loop referrals so partners remain connected to outcomes.
Clients may seek support from the FEC through United Way Monterey County or through partner referrals. Additional resources are amplified by services offered from the 59 agencies from the Smart Referral Network.
CORE FOCUS AREAS
Financial Stability and Asset Building
Income, employment, and career advancement
Housing stability and benefits navigation
Small business and self-employment support (in partnership with the Monterey County Business Council)
SERVICES & SUPPORTS AVAILABLE
Financial Counseling & Coaching
- Housing navigation
- Tenant rights counseling
- Landlord mediation
- Rental assistance connections
Entrepreneurship & Economic Mobility
- Business coaching and mentoring
- Technical assistance for entrepreneurs
- Access to small business loans and financing
- Support for family child care providers and microbusinesses
Workshops, Clinics & Education
- Financial literacy workshops
- Free tax preparation
- Small business education clinics
- Digital literacy and marketing training
- First-time homebuyer education
Housing Stability & Asset Building
- Housing navigation
- Tenant rights counseling
- Landlord mediation
- Rental assistance connections
FEC PARTNERS
- Bay Federal Credit Union
- Affordable Bank-On Checking
- Free Financial Counseling
- California FarmLink
- Provide Small Business Technical Assistance
- Access to Loans
- Eden Council for Hope and Opportunity (ECHO Housing)
- Home Buyer Education
- Tenant Rights Counseling
- Housing Navigation
- Get Virtual
- Website and AI Application Development
- Social Media Marketing
- Digital Literacy Training
- Reintegration Services
- Financial Coaching
- Community Health Workers Services
- Santa Cruz Community Credit Union
- Financial Education Workshops
- Access to Loans
- United Way Monterey County
- Free Tax Prep
- Financial Education
- Varnel Associates
- Business Education Workshops
- Business Consultation and Support
Contact Information
Lynn Foden,
Director of Financial Stability
(831) 318-1997
lynn.foden@unitedwaymcca.org