What is cwa (common wealth athens)?
Common Wealth Athens is a program the Ark offers to provide free financial planning and affordable lending options to low-income families in the Clarke, Oconee, Madison, and Oglethorpe counties.
Our mission is to Empowering Through Financial Literacy, Expand Access to Banking, Providing Opportunity and Credibility Loans
Free, confidential financial counseling to help you stretch your income and hit your money goals.
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1-on-1 Budget & Credit Counseling: Custom support tailored to your exact goals.
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Goal-Focused Topics: Credit cleanup, credit building, smart car buying, and home-buying tips.
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100% Judgment-Free: A client-centered approach to empower your financial journey.
Curious about what’s possible for your financial future?
Are you stuck paying off a title loan or a high-interest loan?
You’re not alone and you have options.
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3.5% interest rates you can actually pay down
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A clear, manageable path to total debt freedom
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Friendly, judgement free support along the way
Find out more about a clear, manageable path to total debt freedom
In Partnership with
meet Jeanet,
financial education director
About
Jeanet is a bilingual, CFEI Certified Financial Instructor with 25 years of teaching experience. She focuses on meeting people where they are and equipping them with the knowledge and resources to make meaningful changes and grow in their financial lives.
Over the years, Jeanet has seen the lack of financial education resources for individuals and families in the Athens area, and she is dedicated to changing that. She lives by the motto: knowledge is power , "you don't know what you don't know", and she is committed to giving you the tools to turn your dreams into reality.
Jeanet will help you build the confidence that anything is possible, conquer money fears, and empower you with knowledge on debt management, getting out of predatory loans, building credit, and setting your life up for financial success. She offers an environment that is nonjudgmental and focused on helping you achieve your financial goals.
Ready to start your financial empowerment journey? Join Jeanet and The Ark! Schedule a session or contact us to learn more about our programs and resources. We’re here to help you take the next step toward a brighter financial future.
Banking Partner
Common Wealth Athens partners with First American Bank and Trust to provide Opportunity Loans of up to $1500 with a six-month term and 3.5% interest available through a donor-provided loan fund. Proceeds from this loan can be used for refinancing neighbors out of high-interest predatory debt or establishing credit where the issue is lack of open accounts on the credit report leading to a low or "no score". The successful repayment of this loan often also materially increases a client's credit score. CWA loans report to of all three major credit bureaus.
Program Partners
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