Five Star Bank awards $2000 to Fund BFNC Hope Center

The Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers’ (BFNC) mission of assisting individuals with overcoming life obstacles include a network of services. With the assistance of the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County and Five Star Bank the BFNC Hope Center was created to provide participants customized financial coaching and planning to enhance quality of life, increase financial security, and develop skills to achieve economic independence.

The BFNC Hope Center, based upon the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Pathway to Prosperity program, is a neighborhood resource center that offers individuals and families the ease of obtaining the financial assistance they need at one location.

“Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers for over 100 years has been in the business of elevating and assisting neighbors with acquiring the skills needed to achieve their life goals and independence,” stated Ricardo I. Herrera, BFNC Executive Director.

Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers for over 100 years has been in the business of elevating and assisting neighbors with acquiring the skills needed to achieve their life goals and independence.

Five Star Bank C&I Lending Executive and Buffalo Regional President Ted Oexle added, “Five Star Bank is committed to investing in and supporting the communities we serve. We are very pleased to support BFNC’s Hope Center and its important mission in Buffalo.”

The goal of the new Institute for Sustainable Economic Impact & Financial Well-Being is to empower program participants to achieve economic stability and financial success. Participants will have the opportunity to attend a 6-week program that includes a series of financial education workshops and direct opportunities for participants to enhance budgeting skills, develop a savings plan, learn investing, debt reduction, and financial goal setting.

A Focus on Active Team Work

After the 6-week financial education program, the participants are connected to a Hope Center financial coach that will assist each participant with implementing what they have learned.

Encouragement and Celebrating Success

Participants who successfully complete the financial education program will receive certificates of accomplishment and gift cards.

About Buffalo Federation of Community Centers (BFNC) 

The Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers (BFNC), a 501c3 organization established in 1981 by the merger of the Westminster Community House and the Neighborhood House Association has served Buffalo and Erie County since 1893. BFNC’s strength in serving the community is based on integrating care coordination, housing, social rehabilitation or activities, financial management, wrap-around, and other services through our core programs and services to meet an individual’s unique needs. www.bfnc.org

About the BFNC Hope Center

The BFNC Hope Center, is a neighborhood center for individuals and families focusing on economic advancement, financial empowerment and education.  Modeled after the successful “Pathway to Prosperity” developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Center has been successful establishing a network of financial resources with a common goal of helping individuals improve their financial status.  Major support and funding are received from the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County and Five Star Bank. The BFNC Hope Center is also a member of the United Way CASH Coalition, an agency collaboration with a focus on improving the financial health of hard-working families in Western New York.

About Five Star Bank

Five Star Bank provides a wide range of consumer and commercial banking and lending services to individuals, municipalities, and businesses through a network of more than 50 offices throughout Western and Central New York State. Additional Five Star Bank information is available at www.five-starbank.com, on Twitter, and on Facebook.