November 18, 2024
One of the four focus areas for AHC Resident Services is economic mobility. That means helping people improve their economic and financial status throughout their lifetimes.
AHC works with many partner organizations that directly connect with residents. This year, we’ve supported more than 200 residents across the region. Our partners host workshops and clinics, provide access to financial resources to keep residents in stable housing, and support skill-building and job career readiness. Check out some highlights of how we’re helping residents boost their economic mobility.
![Teal rounded rectangle with circle-cropped image of a woman smiling with a yellow border. White text, "These classes were very fulfilling for me. The entrepreneur session taught me how to start a business, and I told them I’d like to sell bracelets I make to earn extra money. [Another] class showed us ways to save money, and I started a Christmas savings account." Yellow text below, "Barbara." Lastly, light blue text, "Resident of Barclay Greenmount Apartments in central Baltimore, and a participant in the inaugural Women’s Empowerment program."](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fef68c_dcdcb1093b0d453f873e8467420583fb~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_1659,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/fef68c_dcdcb1093b0d453f873e8467420583fb~mv2.png)
1 MECU Credit Union hosts monthly educational events at Baltimore communities Barclay Greenmount and MonteVerde. Topics include spending and saving, financial resources, how to access one-on-one financial coaching, and assistance opening checking and savings accounts.
2 The Federal Trade Commission and Economic Action Maryland conducted virtual and in-person sessions with MonteVerde’s senior residents, which focused on identifying and reporting frauds and scams and ways to avoid victimization.
3 The Women’s Empowerment program launched in 2023 at the Barclay Greenmount community in Baltimore, thanks to a Wells Fargo grant. The program provides financial and digital literacy training and community-building for participants — and pairing personal and economic growth is a significant aspect of the program. The second cohort at AHC’s Greenspring Overlook community will finish in December 2024.
4 Britepaths held weekly financial stability sessions for seniors at AHC’s Woodbury Park in Arlington this spring. Residents who attended at least four of the six sessions were awarded $50 gift cards for their participation. In the following months, AHC also held financial capabilities classes at Westover apartments in Arlington. Britepaths also hosted a small business workshop series at the Apex community.
5 Residents at Hunter’s Park, Frederick, and Woodbury Park attended computer classes to increase their digital literacy. The classes were provided by the Alliance for Arlington Senior Programs. Residents in these programs often receive a free computer as part of their participation. Residents in many of AHC’s Maryland communities have also attended digital literacy classes.
6 Through a partnership with M&T Bank, residents at The Apex also attended financial literacy workshops that covered budgeting, credit scores and reports, and identity theft and fraud.
7 Residents participated in free English classes at the Serrano community in Arlington, thanks to a partnership with the Arlington Education and Employment Program (REEP).
8 Bridges to Independence, a local organization assisting individuals and families in Arlington County, has worked with Resident Services at AHC’s Apex community. Bridges attends food distribution events and supports residents in their employment process or enrolling in job skills programs.
9 The City of Alexandria Workforce Development Center (WDC) hosted sessions for the St. James and Spire communities this fall. WDC shared ways the center can help residents search for jobs, prepare for interviews, create resumes, and more. Residents learned actionable steps they can take in their job searches.
