AARP - Wisconsin

Phone: 1-888-OUR AARP
Website - http://states.aarp.org/category/wisonsin/

Annual Credit Report

AnnualCreditReport.com is a centralized service for consumers to request free annual credit reports. It was created by the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

AnnualCreditReport.com provides consumers with the secure means to request and obtain a free credit report once every 12 months from each of the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies in accordance with the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT Act).

Website: annualcreditreport.com

Asset Builders of America, Inc.

Asset Builders of America, Inc. is a Wisconsin-based non-profit organization that promotes financial literacy through a variety of programs and partnerships with various businesses, schools, and organizations.

Phone: (608) 663-6332
Email: [email protected]
Website: assetbuilders.org

CBR Foundation for Financial Education, Inc.

The CBR Foundation for Financial Education, Inc., is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide financial education to the Racine County, Wisconsin community. CBR was established in January 2001 by a group of business professionals who deal with the public everyday in matters of personal finance.

Phone: (262) 637-9580
Website: http://www.cbracine.org/

CITY OF RACINE, DEPT. OF HOUSING

Offers low-interest homeowner improvement loans to low and moderate income buyers to make necessary improvements to their home.

Phone: 262-636-9197
Website: www.cityofracine.org

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Milwaukee

Consumers can make an appointment for help with consolidating your debt, rescheduling payments, and money management skills. There are offices in Milwaukee, Glendale, Wauwatosa, Oak Creek, Waukesha, and East Troy.

Phone: (414) 482-8801
Website: https://www.creditcounselingwi.org/

Educators Credit Union

Educators is committed to helping build strong communities and making a positive difference where we live and work. Our staff members, and Educators as a whole, are very active in many different charities and community organizations in Southeastern Wisconsin.

Energy Services, inc.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides assistance for low-income individuals for heat and electric, emergency fuel assistance, counseling for energy conservation and energy budgets, pro-active and co-payment plans, and emergency furnace repair and replacement.

Phone: (262) 633-6000
Website: http://www.hsd.racineco.com/Financial
Assistance/Energy/tabid/1085/Default.aspx

Family Literacy of Racine

Family Literacy of Racine (FLR) is a recognized, innovative leader in family education, providing
comprehensive, integrated programming for low-literacy/low-income families in Racine County.

Phone: (262)-898-3968
Website: http://www.racinefamilyliteracy.com/index.html


FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

The Federal Trade Commission is the nation's consumer protection agency.  The FTC's Burea of Consumer Protection works fro the Consumer to prveent fraud, Deception, and unfair business practices in the marketplace.

Phone: (202)-326-2021
Website: http://www.consumer.ftc.gov

GATEWAY TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Offers finance courses, including, accounting, administration, and business management.

Phone: (262) 619-6200

Green Path Debt Solutions

A nationwide, non-profit financial organization that assists consumers with credit card debt, housing debt and bankruptcy concerns. 

Phone: (414) 282-8064
Website: greenpath.com

Guaranty Bank

Guaranty Bank is a full service retail bank headquartered in Milwaukee, WI. We have over 150 offices, many in grocery stores, in five states including Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Georgia.

Home Energy Plus

Home Energy Plus includes the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) and Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). WHEAP provides assistance for heating costs, electric costs, and energy crisis situations. WAP helps renters and homeowners reduce their energy consumption. Operating with federal and state funding, the programs provide energy assistance payments to over 230,000 households and weatherization services to over 10,000 households in Wisconsin per year. 


Phone: 1-866-432-8947
Website: homeenergyplus.wi.gov

Housing Authority of Racine County
(Section 8 Homeownership program)

The mission of the Housing Authority of Racine County is to be the leader in making excellent affordable housing available for low, very low, and extremely low income families in Racine County. Through effective management and responsible stewardship of public funds, we will forge effective partnerships to maximize housing-related social and economic opportunities. We will foremost promote home ownership and also self-sufficiency and urban stability.

The Homeownership Program is offered to eligible participants of HARC's Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program. The Homeownership program allows first time homeowners to use their voucher assistance to help meet monthly homeowner expenses. The subsidy received will no longer make payments to a landlord but to a mortgage company. Residents interested in joining the program will be required to meet certain criteria.

Phone: (262) 636-3405
Website: rcha.org 

Housing Resources, Inc.

Housing Resources, Inc. empowers people to live their dream of successful homeownership through education, advocacy and supportive services.

Phone: (262) 636-8271
Website: hri-wi.org

HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT CORP., INC.
FIRST CHOICE PER-APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING

Provides individuals the opportunity to achieve personal goals of employment and independence at a family sustaining wage in the building and construction skilled trades and manufacturing.

Phone: 262-633-3285
Email: [email protected]
Website: HCDCWI.org

Individual Development 
Account (IDA) Program

Racine IDA offers working, low-income individuals an opportunity to achieve self-sufficiency through home ownership with a Racine Individual Development Account.

Contact: Mary McIlvaine
Phone: (262) 636-9574

Junior Achievement of Wisconsin

JA programs empower students to make a connection between what they learn in school and how it can be applied in the real world – enhancing the relevance of their classroom learning and increasing their understanding of the value of staying in school. Junior Achievement will ensure that every child has a fundamental understanding of the free enterprise system.

Phone: (414) 577-3800 
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://wisconsin.ja.org/

Legal Action of Wisconsin

Low-cost or free legal services for specific legal problems, including proper evictions, termination of housing assistance or custody cases where there are instances of ongoing abuse.

Phone: (800) 242-5840

Lifeline & Link-Up

Lifeline and Link-Up are two Wisconsin Universal Service Fund programs that make essential telecommunications more affordable for low-income households. Telephone companies that provide local residential service in Wisconsin are required to offer these two programs to their residential customers. Lifeline reduces monthly telephone charges and Link-Up waives telephone connection charges for income-eligible households. Customers must apply for Lifeline or Link-Up through their local telephone company provider. Brochures, an order form, and a listing of local service providers and their telephone numbers are provided at the website link, or contact the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Racine County.

Website: psc.wi.gov/utilityinfo/tele/usf/programs/lifeline.htm

Make A Difference Wisconsin

Make A Difference – Wisconsin, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2006 with a mission to provide financial literacy programs and resources that empower high school students to make sound financial decisions.  Make A Difference–Wisconsin engages volunteers from the local business and professional community in the delivery of financial education.

The Make A Difference – Wisconsin program consists of three seminars focused on budgeting and saving, understanding checking accounts, and understanding credit.  The program is typically delivered over the course of six 50-minute sessions, but it can be adapted to fit any school schedule. Our seminars are:  Bank Your Future (budgeting and saving), Check It Out (understanding bank accounts and how to responsibly maintain them), and To Your Credit (understanding credit cards, credit history/scores, and credit reports). 

The Make A Difference – Wisconsin program is open to any public or private high school in Wisconsin that seeks to improve the financial literacy of its students. Our approach is to work with the school’s administration to identify a required course in which the Make A Difference program will be delivered. This allows us to reach each and every student, without duplication.

Contact: Brenda Campbell
Phone: (414) 273-8101
Email: [email protected]
Website: makeadifferencewisconsin.org 

Money Management International

Money and credit management resources available by telephone or online. This is a non-profit agency. Consultations are free, but consumers can choose to use some low-cost services.

Phone: (866) 889-9347 or (888) 845-5669
Website: moneymanagement.org

RACINE COUNTY TREASURER'S OFFICE

A resource for property tax questions.

Phone: (262) 636-3239
Email: [email protected]

Racine County Workforce Development Center

The Racine County Workforce Development Center is the one-stop center for all of your employment needs. It is the mission of the Workforce Development Center to promote the economic prosperity of the area by providing quality services for employers, job seekers and taxpayers.

Phone: (262) 638-6312
Website: wdc.racineco.com

Racine Kenosha Community 
Action Agency

The RKCAA provides a broad array of anti-poverty services in Racine and Kenosha counties. They are guided by their Board of Directors, which includes, representatives from the government, the private sector, and low-income communities.
Phone: (262) 632-3147
Website: rkcaa.org

Racine Literacy Council

 The Racine Literacy Council is a volunteer-based organization that provides adult literacy programs in Racine County and to educate the community about the importance and impact of literacy.

Phone: (262) 632-9495
Website: http://www.racineliteracy.com/

Racine Public Library

Check out books on personal finance and much more.

Website: http://www.racinelibrary.info/wordpress/?page_id=321

Racine Vocational Ministry, Inc.

Racine Vocational Ministry, Inc. is a faith-based organization providing intensive case management, employment, and life skills training to unemployed and underemployed citizens of Racine County.

Phone: (262) 633-8660
Website: rvmracine.org

Society's Assets

Society’s Assets offers Bill Paying Assistance and Representative Payee Service programs for qualified individuals.

Phone: (262) 637-9128
Website: societysassets.org

STATE OF WISCONSIN-AGRICULTURAL. TRADE AND CONSUMER PROTECTION

Provides information about unfair trade and consumer practices and investigates complaints.

Phone: Toll-free Hotline: 800-422-7128
Website: http://datcp.wi.gov

United Way of Racine County Advancing Family Assets

United Way of Racine County is the largest single voluntary organization serving Racine County through which donors and volunteers can channel their compassion for others in need.

Advancing Family Assets is a family support program focused on income, education, and health. Income eligible families are provided a Family Success Coach who assists them with accessing community resources, planning for their future, and maintaining during times of crisis or need. 

Phone: (262) 456-4701 
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website: unitedwayracine.org

UW-Extension of Racine County

 The purpose of UW-Extension is to teach, learn, lead, and serve—connecting people with the University of Wisconsin, and engaging them in transforming lives and communities. Resources for families focus on child development, parenting, finance, food safety, food buying, nutrition, and professional development for people working with families in Racine County. 4-H Youth Development focuses on 4-H clubs and after school programs that teach leadership, life skills, and community service. Agriculture and horticulture resources are available on community gardening, plant and disease diagnosis, lawn care, pesticide use, master gardeners, rural land ownership, livestock, and other farming topics. Cooperative Extension is a partnership among Racine County, University of Wisconsin, and United States Department of Agriculture—along with other local organizations.

Phone: (262) 767-2929
Website: racine.uwex.edu

UW- PARKSIDE CENTER FOR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

Offers courses in finance, accounting, and business management.

Email: [email protected]

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program

Racine Kenosha Community Action Agency, Inc. will again host the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program this tax season. The VITA Program provides no-cost tax preparation services to income eligible residents. Allowing for fast, accurate, and secure filing, all returns can be electronically completed and filed by IRS-Certified Preparers. The program runs January 25th through April 15th.

This year, the Racine County Workforce Development Center, Racine Public Library, Advancing Family Assets, and the Head Start sites at Grand Avenue and in Burlington will be utilized as tax preparation centers. Childcare will be offered at the Workforce Development Center on a first come, first serve basis.

The program will also offer walk-in clinics at various points throughout the season, and make computers available to taxpayers wishing to self-file.

RKCAA works in partnership with the Racine County University of Wisconsin-Extension, Racine County Workforce Development Center, Racine Public Library, United Way of Racine County, Educators Credit Union, Talmer Bank and Trust, North Shore Bank, Guaranty Bank, Forest County Potawatomi Foundation, Racine Community Foundation, and the Internal Revenue Service to provide this service to the community.

To obtain more information regarding income eligibility, required documentation, appointment scheduling, and other specifics please call 262-637-8377 ext. 117.



Contact: Brian Dean
Phone: 262- 637-8377 ext. 132
Email: [email protected]

Wisconsin Employment Transportation Assistance Program

Do you have a broken vehicle that you can't afford to fix? Do you need that vehicle to get to work? If your answer is yes to both questions...there is a solution for you!

You may be eligible to participate in a vehicle repair program. Criteria for eligibility:

• Low income (200% poverty level)
  
• Employment-related transportation need
  

Required documentation:

• Driver's license
  
• Proof of vehicle ownership
  
• Proof of income
  
• Documentation of family size
  

Please call Sarah Brossard, Transportation Coordinator at (262) 638-6631 for more information.

Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA)

WHEDA works closely with lenders, developers, local government, nonprofits, community groups and others to implement its low-cost financing programs. They provide low-cost, fixed interest rate mortgages to low- and moderate-income individuals and families to purchase their first home. They also work with developers to finance affordable rental housing, and support economic development and agriculture through our small business guarantee programs. 

Phone: (800) 334-6873
Email: [email protected]
Website: wheda.com

Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC)

The Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) is an economic development corporation providing quality business education, technical assistance and access to capital for entrepreneurs. Established in 1987, WWBIC consults, educates and mentors owners of small and micro businesses throughout Wisconsin. We concentrate our efforts with women, people of color and those of lower incomes.

Phone: (262) 898-2940
Email: [email protected]
Website: wwbic.com

Women's Resource Center of Racine

The mission is to provide crisis intervention, advocacy, education and prevention services to a diverse population of victims and individuals at risk of domestic abuse and/or sexual assault, thus promoting positive changes in the lives of the individuals served and the broader community in Racine County.

Phone: 262-633-3274 
Email:  [email protected]
Website: wrcracine.org

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Other helpful resources:

"211" Community Services Information and Referral

2-1-1 @ IMPACT is a central access point for inquiries about family, health, and social services. It is prevention and pre-crisis focused. When someone calls 2-1-1 @ IMPACT, they will speak with a Community Resource Specialist—a professional trained to listen carefully to the caller’s needs, help assess their situation and connect them to an agency that will respond to their needs. 2-1-1 @ IMPACT will follow up with the caller to be sure they have received the proper assistance. Specialized information is provided on FoodShare, BadgerCare programs, Title 19 Medicaid, non-W-2 related Child Care Subsidy and Food Pantry and Meal Site referrals.

Phone: (414) 773-0211 or (866) 211-3380
Website: impactinc.org

Aging and Disability Resource Center of Racine County 

The Resource Center compiles the directory which lists information on daily living assistance, financial, health, housing, recreation, advocacy, and networking.

Phone: (262) 833-8777
Crisis and 24-hour line: (262) 638-7720
Website: adrc.racineco.com

Family Resource Directory

Website: http://racine.uwex.edu/files/2010/12/2012-FamilyResourceDirectory-final-9-28-2012.pdf