Programs

In 2007 the Washington State Legislature established the College Bound Scholarship. This program was created to provide state financial aid to low-income students who may not consider college a possibility due to the cost. The scholarship covers tuition (at comparable public college rates), some fees, and a small book allowance.

The College Bound program is designed to inspire and encourage middle school students from low to middle-income families to prepare for and pursue postsecondary education.  The early investment of state funding for tuition is intended to alleviate the financial barriers which prevent many students from considering college as a possibility.

From sign up to scholarship, we provide the tools and resources you need to get College Bound!

The Earned Income Tax Credit (or EITC) is a credit for people who do not earn high incomes.  EITC can reduce your taxes and result in a refund.  In simple terms, workers keep more of what they earn.

For the last several years, AARP has partnered with YCABC to provide free tax preparation sites in several locations throughout Yakima County, Ellensburg, and Goldendale.  AARP Tax-Aide volunteers are IRS certified as tax preparers and can do manual reports as well as e-Filing, depending on what the tax payer needs.

The YCABC promotes the EITC because:

• It reduces the number of families living in poverty.

• The EITC is responsible for lifting more children out of poverty than any other federal program.

• Promotes work. EITC makes work more attractive than Welfare programs and helps many families make the transition from public assistance into the labor force.

• Helps low-income families build assets.  The potential for significant cash payments to be received in tax credits provides a strategic link to introduce various asset building opportunities.

During tax season, sign up for an appointment by calling the Greater Columbia 2-1-1.

Homebuyer Education:

Whether you've purchased a home before and need a refresher course or you are a first time homebuyer, there are several homeownership courses available at no cost to you.

First Time Home Buyers Seminar

3rd Saturday of every month, 9am-12pm

The Buyers Agent of Yakima

216 N. 40th Avenue

The seminar covers every aspect of the home buying process, including benefits of homeownership; the getting qualified for loan options; credit repair or alternative credit options, and more!

For more information call 509-575-1212 or

www.happyhomebuyer.com

Catholic Charities Homeownership Program

This “self-help” homeownership program offers first-time buyers the chance to achieve their dream of homeownership. We help low- to moderate- income families learn skills to become successful homeowners. These services include establishing/repairing credit, budgeting, mortgage education, and home maintenance. Qualified families invest “sweat equity” during the construction process, which allows them to purchase a home with no down payment.

For more information:
newlifehomes@catholiccharitiescw.org

Financial Fitness Course:

You will receive 8 hours of classroom instruction covering all aspects of budgeting, banking, credit and credit scores in addition to 4 hours of lab time.  Trained volunteers will be available during lab time to assist you with such things as bill organizing, understanding your credit report, reconciling your checking account etc.

Please register by calling Love INC Yakima at (509) 453-0214 or by visiting  http://loveincyakima.org/events/

Junior Achievement of Washington:

Our programs are designed to teach young people in grades K - 12 about business and economics, financial literacy, and career development. Our goal as an organization is to better serve this community by inspiring students -- our future work force -- to improve the quality of their lives.  For information about programs please go here! or contact - Central WA (509) 853-1006

Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) are special savings accounts that match the deposits of low- and moderate-income people. For every dollar saved in an IDA, savers receive a corresponding match which serves as both a reward and an incentive to further the saving habit.

Savers agree to complete financial education classes and use their savings for an asset-building purpose – typically for post-secondary education or job training, home purchase, or to capitalize a small business. In addition to earning match dollars, savers learn about budgeting, saving and receive additional training before purchasing an asset. IDAs make it possible for individuals to build the financial assets they need to achieve the American dream.

Catholic Charities Housing Services will soon launch their IDA program for housing.  For more information contact Bryan Ketcham bketcham@cchsyakima.org.

The Washington State Microenterprise Association is grateful to collaborate with Yakima County Asset Building Coalition and other partners that support the smallest businesses in the Yakima region. Some of the work we have been focused on has been training and webinars, resource coordination with Evergreen BizLInk, and grants for $65,332 to organizations like Centro de Servicios Comunitarios and Yakima County Development Association over the last year for business services and programs in your area.  Because we know that business ownership is a viable path out of poverty, we look forward to improving the financial well-being of every entrepreneur in the Yakima region with relevant business support services.  To learn more about some of our business development partners in your area, check out Evergreen BizLink!

A microenterprise is a business that has five or fewer employees, requires $35,000 or less in initial capital and doesn’t have access to traditional commercial loans. Microenterprises start small, but can grow into large businesses.

Microenterprise is a part of every industry:

• Professional Services
• Retail
• Technology
• Trades
• Crafts/Arts
• Manufacturing
• Childcare
• Environmental
• Agriculture/Farming
• And More

Microenterprise in WA*

• There are 486,504 microenterprises in WA, accounting for 17.4 % of all employment in the state.
• Microenterprises employ 80,273 rural employees (20.6%) and 568,573 urban employees (17%).
• Microenterprises represent 86.51% of all businesses in Washington.