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 can connect you with the tools and resources you need to get College Bound!

Go to: https://wsac.wa.gov/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.

“MONEY SMART” ~ A Free 8-week Financial Literacy program.

Are you ready to take control of your budget?

Reserve your seat for “Money Smart”, a free 8-week Financial Education Class! To learn when the next 8-week session begins, see contact information below.

You will learn the basics, such as how to budget and track your spending and savings; find a bank and establish an account; establish or repair your credit; manage credit cards; prepare for retirement; protect yourself from fraud; buy a house, and more!

The “Money Smarts class meets one night per week: the Spanish class meets Tuesdays 5:30-7:45pm.  The English class meets Thursdays 5:30-7:45pm.

Classes are held at the Safe Haven Community Center in Toppenish. To register, please call Safe Haven Community Center at (509) 865-1804, or visit in person at 101 Lincoln (across from Toppenish swimming pool).

Love INC Yakima

Love INC's Emerge program offers families and individuals skill building classes in Financial Education, Budget Mentoring and Life Skills.  Emerge classes are free to all participants.

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

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

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.