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Newark Now Programs:
Financial Empowerment Center (FEC)
The Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) directly connects thousands of Newarkers annually to important governmental, financial, and legal services. It provides benefit screening and assistance with public benefits and finding emergency funding. The FEC offers Newark residents assistance with finding free or discounted prescription drugs through the innovative program Newark Rx. The FEC also operates Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Refund Now sites that in 2009 helped more than 3,000 low-income families obtain more than $4.6 million in tax refunds through free, professional tax preparation services. Furthermore, VITA assists high school and college students to complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In addition to saving people money, the FEC helps people and businesses stay green through a new effort that assists them by providing free & low cost energy solutions.
Contact: Victor Silva, Director at 973 350 0524 or vsilva@newarknow.org
Location: 103 Bloomfield Ave, Newark, NJ 07104
Phone: 973.624.3733
Hours: 9 am - 5 pm
The following are a list of services that the FEC provides to people in the community:
* Green Solutions, our energy savings and efficiency program, is available to residents, small businesses and non-profits. These programs will not only save money for participants but also have help improve our environment.
* Free benefits screening and help with claiming food charge cards and vouchers, child care assistances, tax credits & health care.
* Free on site referrals to family counseling for help addressing problems, including domestic violence, substance abuse and mental health care.
* Free tax preparation and filing which is professional and simple. Through the VITA and Refund Now programs the FEC is able to assist clients in getting back the money they have earned at no cost and in some case in as little as two days.
* Free financial counseling one on one sessions with a trained professional on credit issues, debt issues, budget management and savings strategies.
* Free Financial Literacy & Credit related workshops.
* Access to our Individual Development Account (IDA) program where we match a client’s savings on a 2 to 1 basis. The money can be used for asset building in one of the following areas: Higher Education, homeownership, or starting a new business or expanding an existing one (eligibility is based on income).
* Access to reduced prices for medical prescriptions and in some cases free prescriptions for those who qualify through our Newark Rx Program.
* Free legal counseling concerning housing and tenant issues.
Current Partnerships:
* Capital One Bank
* City of Newark
* Essex County College
* Essex County Department of Citizens Services
* Heinz Family Foundation
* Newark Works - One Stop Career Center
* PSE&G
* PDA USA
* Single Stop USA
* St. Michael Medical Center
* TD Bank
For additional information, please contact fec@newarknow.org
