People seeking CEDA assistance can apply by calling our Financial Opportunity Center via 773-265-7940 and scheduling an appointment. Our CEDA service hours are Tuesdays through Thursdays from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM. Please contact our FOC team at foc@nlen.org with any questions!
Financial Readiness
NLEN works to improve financial literacy for North Lawndale and beyond. We’re proud to help connect residents to the economic mainstream, and improve our communities along the way.
FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITY CENTER (FOC)
Growing financial literacy from the ground up
We believe that everyone in our North Lawndale community has a right to financial literacy, which is why we have an entire center dedicated to financial education.
Located on NLEN’s campus adjacent to our very own Wintrust Bank branch, our LISC Chicago Financial Opportunity Center® (FOC) is a welcoming hub for financial planning and economic empowerment services including outreach, coaching, and benefits application assistance. Our goal is to support people in achieving their economic goals and advance financial prosperity.
NLEN’s Financial Opportunity Center programs and supports include:
- Soft pull credit reports and credit score analysis
- Credit history and credit repair support
- Financial education workshops
- Budgeting coaching
- Public benefits application assistance
All of our programs and services are free to the NLEN network.
Drawing financial expertise from within the community
Through the FOC, we partner with local community members from across North Lawndale and metro Chicago to build family-sustaining careers and achieve financial success. We are part of a national network of trusted community-based organizations, supported by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), who offer people employment, financial health, and income support services to generate impact.
FOC programs integrate long-term financial coaching into NLEN’s existing programs, showing you how to expand your financial education and access credit-building programming.
NLEN graduates enrolled in two or more FOC services are:
- 4x
more likely to improve their credit rating - 11x
more likely to improve net worth - 14x
more likely to improve net income
FINANCIAL READINESS
Building wealth and financial security in North Lawndale
$2,739
increase in participants’ monthly income
5,000
number of visits to the FOC in 2021 and 2022
56 points
average increase in credit scores across participants
$11,850
total emergency funds distributed to graduates in 2021
Priority Period Utility Assistance at NLEN Opens Wednesday, October 1st!
Utility Bill Assistance
Did you know that NLEN offers utility bill assistance? NLEN staff can help navigate utility bill credits, bill forgiveness, and more.
Get ready to grow your financial literacy.
For more information about NLEN’s Financial Opportunity Center or to set up an appointment with a Financial Coach, email FOC@nlen.org or call 773-638-7070.