County Executive Calvin Ball shared a moment with MakingChange staff and board members at Money Matters Fair. (Stephen Cherry Photography)Howard County Executive Calvin Ball presented the Money Matters Fair 2019 Sunday at The Mall in Columbia. Free financial services, such as financial planning, and information about college savings, retirement savings, credit counseling, housing counseling and consumer education were included.
Government agencies, banks, credit unions, financial planners, nonprofits and counselors and coaches were exhibitors. Renee McElroy, MakingChange Program Coordinator for Financial Counseling, and Roy Yenoli, Program Coordinator for Financial Education, were on hand to talk with attendees. MakingChange had a record year in FY18, teaching people to manage their money and change their lives through financial wellness programs. Seminars served 1,275 participants, and 143 clients received personal financial coaching in 406 sessions. MakingChange also prepared free tax returns for 743 people.
MakingChange programs are offered in schools, human service agencies, businesses and elsewhere as requested. The organization also conducts Housing Counseling sessions for prospective homeowners. Last year 269 families attended the First Time Homebuyer Program.
MakingChange offices are located at the MultiService Center in North Laurel and at the NonProfit Collaborative offices in Columbia.