Resource Directory

2-1-1 Impact

http://www.impactinc.org

Tags: addiction, community, education, employment, food, health care, housing, information, mental health, nutrition, opportunity, programs, rehab, rehabilitation, shelter, utilities, vaccine

Impact 2-1-1 is a multi-lingual service available 365 days/year, 24 hours/day to Milwaukee residents. Dial 2-1-1 to be connected to a specialist that will link you to governmental and nonprofit services:

  • Supplement food and nutrition programs
  • Shelter/housing options & utilities assistance
  • Mental health & addiction and rehabilitation process
  • Employment & education opportunities
  • Health care, vaccine, & epidemic information

AARP

states.aarp.org/region/wisconsin

866-448-3611

Tags: assistance, education, financial, fraud, fraud prevention, information, retirement, scam, scams, services, tax

AARP provides resources on planning for retirement, taxes and how to protect yourself from scams and fraud. Find local events, webinars and more on the website. AARP Foundation Tax Aide volunteers are IRS certified to assist people of all income and ages to file their tax returns at no charge. Find a location near you: 1-888-227-7669 or www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide.

ACTS Housing

https://actshousing.org/

414-933-2215

Tags: assistance, education, foreclosure, homeownership, housing, low-income, programs, services

ACTS Housing empowers diverse families through homeownership. They offer assistance with purchasing a home, focusing on Milwaukee's central city and rehab purchases, which are often less than demolition and save new homeowners hundreds on their monthly housing costs

Angie’s List

www.angieslist.com

Tags: contractor, contractors, directory, local businesses, membership, reviews

Angie's List is a directory of crowd-sourced reviews of local businesses and contractors, offers membership levels, including some free access.

Asset Builders of America

www.assetbuilders.org

608-663-6332

Tags: education, entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, families, finances, investment, low-income, moderate income, programs, young adults, youth

Asset Builders of America is a nonprofit that offers programs for low and moderate income youth, young adults and families, including The Money Conference, Finance & Investment Challenge Bowl, Go4it! Youth Entrepreneurship Education, and Got Money!

Better Business Bureau

www.bbb.org

800-273-1002

Tags: companies, fraud, fraud prevention, information, scam, services

The Better Business Bureau provides information on companies and services.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint

855-411-2372

Tags: consumer, financial, financial products, fraud, fraud prevention, protection, services, youth

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau provides a wide range of free Information and resources on financial products and services, including homeownership, student loans, financial literacy and more. To submit a consumer complaint call or visit their website.

Covering Wisconsin

https://www.coveringwi.org/

Tags: assistance, community, education, information, insurance, low-income, services, training

Covering Wisconsin is a federally-designated Affordable Care Act (ACA) Navigator that provides training and support to Wisconsin residents.

Employ Milwaukee

www.employmilwaukee.org

414-270-1700

Tags: employment, jobs, training, youth

Employ Milwaukee provides employment and job training as a public-private enterprise through Milwaukee Job Center Network and Youth Services.

Energy Assistance

(414) 207-4653

Tags: assistance, bill, electric, energy, furnace, gas, heat, utilities

Energy assistance program provides financial benefits for energy costs, emergency home repair, and restoration of utilities.

FDIC Money Smart

https://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/moneysmart/

Tags: business, community, education, educators, financial literacy, information, people with disabilities, programs, seniors, youth

FDIC Money Smart is a series of FREE educational curricula that help people enhance their financial skills and create positive banking relationships. Modules focus on Adults, Young People, Older Adults, Small Business Owners and People with Disabilities. Sign up for Money Smart News and access the Money Smart Podcast Network too. The Teacher Online Resource Center offers videos and other resources to help teach children from Pre-K through age 20 about money and finances.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

www.ftc.gov

Tags: consumer, credit, credit report, credit score, fraud, fraud prevention, improve credit, issues, scams

The FTC is the nation's consumer protection agency, with a range of information on how credit scoring works, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). The FTC can help you understand ways you can improve your credit score, how scams work, address identity theft and other consumer issues.

Financial Literacy: Teach It!

www.wimedialab.org

Tags: finance, financial literacy, learning, personal finance

Financial Literacy Teach It is a multimedia professional learning resource designed around Wisconsin's personal financial literacy standards. (On the website, click "Browse Resource" and "By Subject and Grade" scroll on the right for Personal Financial Literacy).

Financial Planning Association of Wisconsin

https://fpawi.org/

608-246-9001

Tags: assistance, education, financial, information, planning

The Financial Planning Association (FPA) of Wisconsin promotes the financial planning process and advances the profession in accordance with the highest ethical standards by providing education, association, and leadership for the financial services community and the public it serves. It is the local chapter of the FPA that represents the interests of FPA members throughout Wisconsin.

FINRA Investors

http://www.finra.org/investors

Tags: assistance, education, financial, information, invest

FINRA Investors assists by providing knowledge and tools to understand the basic principles of saving and investing.

Goodwill Financial Empowerment Services

www.goodwillsew.com

1-855-455-1110

Tags: disability, disability work, finance, personal finance, resources, training, workshops

Goodwill Financial Empowerment Services provides financial counseling, workshops, resources and information on disability work incentives at the James O. Wright Center for Work and Training. All services are free. Call to schedule an appointment.

GreenPath Financial Wellness

http://www.greenpath.com

800-550-1961

Tags: confidential, counsel, credit, debt, foreclosure, mortgage, repayment

GreenPath Financial Wellness provides free, confidential financial, foreclosure prevention, reverse mortgage and debt counseling services, assisting clients to improve their financial situation. They are a nonprofit member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

Hands on Banking

www.handsonbanking.org

Tags: adults, banking, finances, financial literacy, kids, money management, teens, young adults

Hands on Banking is an online tool (English/Spanish) for kids, teens, young adults and adults to help learn more about the basics of finances and money management.

Hmong American Friendship Association (HAFA)

www.hmongamer.org

414-344-6575

Tags: counseling, education, financial literacy, Hmong, housing, Laotian, programs, services

HAFA delivers educational programs and services to Hmong and Laotian refugees and the community at large, including homeownership and financial counseling.

Housing Resources Inc. (HRI)

http://www.hri-wi.org

414-461-6330

Tags: counseling, foreclosure, home, homeowner, housing, mortgage

Housing Resources Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and families purchase their own homes and offers workshops and one-on-one counseling.

Journey House Financial Opportunity Center

www.journeyhouse.org

414-647-0548

Tags: benefits, coaching, education, employment, financial, tax, tax preparation

Journey House Financial Opportunity Center offers free, confidential one-on-one employment, financial & benefits coaching and education. Free tax preparation services offered February-April.

Junior Achievement

www.juniorachievement.org/web/ja-wisconsin

(414) 577-3800

Tags: business, economics, enterprise, interactive, youth

Junior Achievement's BizTown program combines in-class learning with a day-long visit to an interactive, simulated town where students learn to operate a bank, restaurant, city hall, newspaper, retail store and other businesses.

La Casa de Esperanza

www.lacasadeesperanza.org

262-547--0888

Tags: arts, development, education, finances, financial literacy, food services, low-income, programs, tax preparation, weatherization, workforce, youth

La Casa de Esperanza is a human service organization in Waukesha that offers educational programs, financial literacy, workforce development, tax preparation assistance, food services, youth arts, low-income and weatherization services.

Legal Action Eviction Defense Project

http://www.legalaction.org/services/volunteer-lawyers-project/eviction-defense-project

Tags: assistance, housing, low-income, Milwaukee, programs, services

Legal Action of Wisconsin's Eviction Defense Project (EDP) is court-based, FREE legal aid for low-income tenants who are facing eviction. At the EDP, eligible clients can obtain FREE legal aid with their evictions in Milwaukee and Dane Counties, including brief legal advice, settlement assistance, document drafting and limited scope in-court representation.

Look Forward to Your Future

www.lookforwardwi.gov

Tags: affordability, college, debt, educators, financial literacy, funding, parents, private loans, student debt, student loans, students

Look Forward to Your Future is a resource developed by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions for students, parents, & educators who have questions and are facing decisions about college and student debt.

Mediate Milwaukee

http://mediatewisconsin.com/

1-877-721-6262

Tags: assistance, community, finances, housing, information, Milwaukee, services

Mediate Milwaukee offers assistance with legal mediation, a fair and neutral process where parties have the assistance of a trained mediator to discuss solutions to a disagreement or dispute.  They help parties in the following situations: Mortgage Foreclosure (available in participating counties throughout Wisconsin), Eviction (available in Milwaukee County Small Claims Court) and Landlord-Tenant Disputes (available in Milwaukee County).

Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council

www.fairhousingwisconsin.com

414-278-1240

Tags: foreclosure, foreclosure rescue, fraud prevention, housing, lending, scams

The Fair Housing Council provides assistance with questions regarding discriminatory practices in  housing and lending. Contact them to report a suspected foreclosure rescue scam or predatory lending practices.

Milwaukee County Cooperative Extension

https://milwaukee.uwex.edu/family-living/

Tags: assistance, community, consumer, education, educators, financial literacy, information, low-income, parents, programs, services

Milwaukee County Extension Family Living Programs support our communities’ families through a variety of educational programs and technical assistance offered to family support workers, including the FoodWIse Nutrition Education Program. Their goal is to empower families facing real life challenges with education and tools to make positive strides nutritionally and financially.

Milwaukee County Department of Aging

county.milwaukee.gov/Aging

414-289-6874

Tags: abuse, caregiver, centers, dining, investigation, legal, long term care, senior, services, support, transportation

Milwaukee County Department of Aging helps adults 60+ connect to resources such as: transportation, caregiver support, legal services, elder abuse investigation, senior centers, senior dining, long term care, and other benefits.

Milwaukee Public Library

www.mpl.org

414-286-3011

Tags: assistance, community, consumer, education, employment, financial literacy, information, Milwaukee, personal finance, programs, services

Your local library is a great place to start for finding additional online resources, books or educational programs for adults and youth. They also offer assistance with teaching kids about money.

Money Smart Week Wisconsin

https://www.moneysmartwi.org/

Tags: community, education, events, literacy, money smart, personal finance, resources

Money Smart Week is a public awareness campaign designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances. This effort was created by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in 2002 and launched in Wisconsin in 2006.

my Social Security

https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/

Tags: education, financial, information, planning, retirement, services

my Social Security is offered by the Social Security Administration and is a new feature where you can sign up for an account to check your contributions, statements and do some planning.

MyMoney.gov

http://www.mymoney.gov

1-800-FED-INFO

Tags: consumer, education, financial literacy, information, personal finance, programs

MyMoney.gov is a FREE online resource to help consumers learn about resources that can help them manage their personal finances in five ways: Earn, Save & Invest, Protect, Spend and Borrow.

SecureFutures

www.securefutures.org

414-273-8101

Tags: business, community, financial literacy, youth

SecureFutures empowers teens through financial education lessons led by volunteers from the business community at schools and community sites.

Take Root Milwaukee

http://www.takerootmilwaukee.org

414-921-4149

Tags: confidential, counseling, foreclosure, homebuyer, homeowner, mortgage

Take Root Milwaukee provides free or low-cost, trustworthy and confidential assistance to help people purchase and keep their new home, in addition to finding alternatives to foreclosure.  A list of upcoming workshops and events by their members can be found at their website.

Tenant Resource Center

www.tenantresourcecenter.org

877-238-RENT (7368)

Tags: assistance, education, housing, information, services

Tenant Resource Center offers information and referrals, education about rental rights and responsibilities, and access to conflict resolution to empower the community to obtain and maintain quality affordable housing.

United Community Center

http://www.unitedcc.org

414-384-3100

Tags: community, counseling, education, elder, Milwaukee, services, social, south

United Community Center is a nonprofit organization serving Milwaukee's Hispanic community and near south side.  They offer a wide range of social services, including a housing counseling and first-time homebuyer program.

Wisconsin Community Services (WCS)

http://www.wiscs.org

(414) 290-0400

Tags: academic, computer, convict, driver license, education, employment, ex-offender, jail, job, low-income, prison, training

Wisconsin Community Services provides services to ex-offenders, including skill and aptitude assessment, computer training, driver's license recovery and job placement.

Wisconsin Consumer Protection Hotline

800-422-7128

Tags: complaint, consumer, Wisconsin

Wisconsin's Consumer Protection Hotline is operated by the state and regulates unfair business practices. Call or contact via email at DATCPHotline@wisconsin.gov.

Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions

https://www.wdfi.org/

Tags: assistance, business, community, consumer, education, financial, financial literacy, information, planning, resources

WI Department of Financial Institutions provides links to look up brokers, investment advisors and other companies providing financial products and services.

Wisconsin Housing & Economic Development Authority (WHEDA)

www.wheda.com

Tags: community, financial, housing, information, mortgage, programs

WHEDA is the state housing finance agency and provides low-cost, fixed interest rate mortgages to low- and moderate-income individuals and families to purchase their first home. They work with a wide range of lenders and community partners.

Wisconsin Saves

http://www.wisconsin-saves.org

Tags: bank, money, saving, Wisconsin

Wisconsin Saves is a statewide initiative devoted to promoting financial awareness and encouraging financial action among people of all economic levels. View a list of events at their website.

WRTP/Big Step (WI Regional Training Partnership)

http://www.wrtp.org

(414) 342-9787

Tags: apprentice, education, employment, job, skill, trade, training, tutor, Wisconsin

WRTP provides individualized tutoring programs to improve skills in preparation for apprenticeship and offers pre-employment training certificate programs for a growing range of skilled trades.

YWCA Southeast Wisconsin

http://www.ywcamilw.org

(414) 374-1800

Tags: assistance, child care, Christian, employment, female, girl, housing, job, programs, training, women, YWCA

YWCA provides women of all ages with programs to increase self-sufficiency, from job training and financial literacy to child care and housing.