Tel: 585-252-7110​
Financial Empowerment Resources
Financial Empowerment Resources
Employment Support
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If you are unemployed, meet with a Rochester Financial Empowerment Center counselor to create an emergency budget for the coming months. Call (585)-252-7110 to set up an appointment.
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Catholic Family Center Employment Skills Services: https://www.cfcrochester.org/our-services/serving-rochester/employment-skills/
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City of Rochester Employment Assistance: https://www.cityofrochester.gov/jobsearch/
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Foodlink Career Empowerment Initiative: https://foodlinkny.org/fight_hunger/programs-initiatives/#tab-7
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Rochester Works: https://www.rochesterworks.org/
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Rochester Educational Opportunities Center: https://reoc.brockport.edu/
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RCSD Office of Adult & Career Education Services (OACES): https://oaces.net/
Buying a Home
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RHA Home Ownership Program: https://www.rochesterhousing.org/home-ownership-program
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City of Rochester Home Purchase Assistance Program: https://www.cityofrochester.gov/homebuyer/
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City of Rochester Employer Assisted Housing Initiative: https://www.cityofrochester.gov/employerassisted.aspx
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Neighbor Works Introduction to Homebuying: https://nwcprochester.org/home-buying-rochester-ny/introduction-to-home-buying/
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State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA): https://hcr.ny.gov/sonyma-programs
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Federal Home Loan Bank- Homebuyer Dream Program: https://www.fhlbny.com/community/housing-programs/hdp/
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FHA Lenders in Rochester:
Small Business Start-up Services
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U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has developed Lender Match, a free online referral tool that connects small businesses with participating SBA-approved lenders within 48 hours.
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The City of Rochester Business Assistance Programs provides Small Business Matching Grants to assist with Advertising, Signage, FF&E and Security Equipment.
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The City of Rochester Business Assistance Programs provides Business Development Financial Assistance Program Loans and Grants to assist with financing equipment, working capital and/or renovations.
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Kiva Rochester provides crowdfunded business loans of $1,000-$15,000 at 0% interest, no fees, and a six-month grace period.
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Rochester Economic Development Corporation (REDCO) Business Assistance Programs offer revolving loan funds to assist with equipment, working capital and/or renovations.
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The Philip J. Banks Program, offered through REDCO, provides grants and loans towards equipment, working capital and/or renovations.
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The Greater Rochester SCORE program is continuing to offer small business mentoring and educational opportunities to businesses of the greater Rochester area.
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The SUNY Brockport Small Business Development Center provides free 1:1 small business support, including advising, planning, MWBE certification, and training.
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WeFunder provides crowdfunded business loans to small businesses and start-ups and charges 7.5% of the funds raised (businesses will only be charged if they raise funds).
Financial Institutions
Personal Loans
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Advantage FCU: APR 10%-12.5%
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Citizens Bank: no fees, no collateral needed, APR 6.8%-21%
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ESL Federal Credit Union: varying low late fees, APR 8%-10%
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Evans Bank: loan secured by primary residence, APR 11.5%-12%
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Five-Star Bank: information not available on the website
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Genesee Co-op Federal Credit Union: unsecured and secured loans available, APR varies
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Genesee Regional Bank: unsecured and secured loans available, APR 4%-1-.25%
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KeyBank: unsecured and secured loans available, APR 7.74%- 17.24%
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Lexington Ave Federal Credit Union: unsecured and secured loans available, APR 8%-10%
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M&T Bank: unsecured and cash-secured loans available, APR 3%-13%
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Summit Federal Credit Union: APR 7%-7.25%
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Safe & Affordable Checking Accounts*
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Bank of America- SafeBalance
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Chase Bank- Secure Banking Account
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Citibank- Access Account
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Five-Star Bank- Progress Checking
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KeyBank- Hassle-Free Account
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M&T Bank- MyWay Checking
*"Safe & Affordable" accounts have been identified based on BankOn Account Standards
Consumer Protection
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Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/policy-compliance/guidance/
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File a consumer fraud complaint with the New York State Attorney General’s office
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The Division of Consumer Protection Scam Alerts & Consumer Tips
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Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Consumer Protection Information & Resources
Additional Resources
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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
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Access free eviction defense legal assistance from the Tenant Defense Project of Monroe County
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Apply for Temporary Assistance, SNAP, WIC, the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), and other public benefit programs online or in person at the Monroe County Department of Human Services
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Access low-cost, high-quality health insurance
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Catholic Family Center Rochester
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Bridges to Success (Self-sufficiency coaching)
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Emergency Services (Shelter, food, etc.)
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Family Services (kinship programs, adoption & foster services, sexual abuse crisis intervention, etc.)
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