Trinity Credit Counseling

Trinity provides Credit Counseling, debt management, and debt Counseling for individuals and families who are experiencing debt problems or need guidance to formulate a monthly budget. Being a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, many of these services are offered at no cost to our clients. Those who inquire about our service are given access to a certified Credit counselor. To start, counselors provide an explantion of all the services offered. Through conversation, counselors will facilitate a series of questions to obtain insight regarding the caller's overall situation. Once enough information is collected, counselors use their expertise to decide what options are available that can target and resolve the caller's specific needs. For those in need of financial Counseling, the first step is the dree debt analysis. This critical step allows the counselor to review the client's income, expenses, and identify potential problem areas. Counselors give suggestions on ways in which the client can improve their budget and financial situation. Details pertaining to debts owed are also reviewed. Recommendations are explained about available options that would assist with repaying debts. The counselor will work to identify the root cause of the client's situation so that proper corrective action can take place. Counselors will provide follow up Counseling at various intervals based on each individual's needs. Weekly, Trinity receives as many as 590 inquiries via the telephone, internet, or in person. Annually, this amounts to more than 30,000 people who contact Trinity seeking our assistance. All are given access to a certified Credit counselor. Approximately 43% of these inquirers go on to complete an application. Of the applications received, about 42% are advised to enter into a dmp. The remaining 58% are offered alternative solutions such as working with creditors directly, bankruptcy, or an applicable referral to an outside resource for help pertaining to auto loans, mortgage loans, or student loan relief. Trinity's education and outreach efforts are intended to inform the community of personal financial management skills and techniques. Trinity's education and outreach efforts focus on several targeted audiences: youth and adult financial education, community colleges and workforce development and housing education. Education and outreach efforts are collaborative such as working with public schools, community organizations, governmental agencies, Credit unions and private businesses. Trinity strives to build and sustain community partnerships to expand organizational capacity and serves the community through financial education presentations, workshops, or seminars. In 2023, 5,482 individuals were reached by Trinity's education programs.