Mount Vernon and United Way of Westchester and Putnam Announce Their Financial Navigator Partnership
The City of Mount Vernon is pleased to partner with the United Way of Westchester and Putnam on the 2022 Financial Navigators program. The Financial Navigators program is a free service that has been helping Mount Vernon residents better manage the continuing financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic since 2020. It provides tools such as remote assistance to help our community access critical financial resources and makes referrals to other social services and resources.
Starting today, residents can call 211 for assistance. United Way’s 211 Helpline is free and confidential. It is available 24/7, 365 days a year in 200 languages. Mount Vernon residents can also access it by texting their zip code to 898211. When speaking with a community resource specialist, let them know you are interested in meeting with a financial navigator. Residents can also sign up for the financial navigator service by completing the webform at https://www.cmvny.com/245/Financial-Navigators-Program After signing up for the program, the financial navigator will send a short service agreement and call the client to schedule a session. Mount Vernon organizations can also refer clients directly to the program.
“When economic hardships happen in our lives, we don’t know where to turn or what resources are there to help us through it,” said Tom Gabriel, President and CEO of United Way of Westchester and Putnam. “We are pleased to be teaming up with the City of Mount Vernon on this important initiative because help is available, and we encourage residents to utilize the Financial Navigator Program.”
The 2022 Financial Navigator program is made possible through funding obtained by the City of Mount Vernon from the U.S. Treasury’s CARES Act funds. This year’s program is a continuation of the city’s 2020 COVID pandemic emergency response. The city recognized early that the uncertainty brought on by the COVID pandemic would require new tools, services and partnerships to help our residents.
“This partnership allows us to provide critical free financial resources to our Mount Vernon residents. It will help us navigate the continuing economic and social impacts that Covid is having on our community.” If you are experiencing financial hardship, I urge you to call 211 to connect to financial resources and support services.” said Mayor Shawyn-Patterson Howard.
For more information on the Financial Navigator program and to learn more about financial empowerment, visit https://www.cmvny.com/245/Financial-Navigators-Program.
