Friday, February 7, 2025

Virginia Cooperative Extension Graduates 20 Master Financial Educator Volunteers

Julius Evans is presented his graduation certificate by Karen Munden, Senior Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent. (Photo courtesy of Christie Culliton, VCE)

HAMPTON ROADS — Twenty Hampton Roads residents graduated from the Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Financial Educator Certificate Program in October.

The Master Financial Education Volunteer program helps build financial capabilities through research-based financial education. Volunteer instructors educate participants on getting out of debt, budgeting, preventing identity theft and more.

The Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) is a partnership between Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and local governments.

Serving as the educational outreach arm of these universities, VCE is dedicated to addressing the social, economic, and environmental needs of Virginia residents. VCE achieves this by providing unbiased, science-based information, practical tools, and resources to enhance and sustain the quality of life for residents.

“I joined this training program because I have seen personal financial hardships first-hand,” said Julius Evans, Naval Medical Readiness Logistics Command Public Affairs Officer of Naval Weapons Station Yorktown-Cheatham Annex and a graduate of the most recent training program. “Volunteering as a Master Personal Financial coach is another way I can give back to the community. I believe that no matter how you give, if you can make your community better through your personal gifts, that makes us all a better and well-rounded community.”

The Master Financial Education Volunteer (MFEV) training program is a 20-hour course designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to teach and coach financial literacy to Virginians of all ages, from grade school students to senior citizens.

After the training course, volunteers commit to donating 40 community hours over the next 12 months to maintain their MFEV certification.

Through community opportunities like the MFEV program, Virginians have experienced positive benefits from learning and incorporating the valuable lessons taught by program volunteers, Evans explained in an article distributed by DVIDS, the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service of the Department of Defense.

The well-being of Virginians depends on individual and family financial capacity, he added. Financial capacity enables individuals to make informed choices, sound decisions, and avoid financial pitfalls, as well as obtain knowledge of strategies to implement during times of financial crisis. The process of developing financial capacities provides individuals with the appropriate tools to understand and apply financial products, services, and concepts to improve their financial situation.

Led by Senior Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent Karen Munden and a team of Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Agents, the training curriculum allows new graduates to provide focused information to community members who desire personal financial management education and coaching.

Through community opportunities like the MFEV program, Virginians have experienced positive benefits from learning and incorporating the valuable lessons taught by program volunteers, Evans said.

Sign up for free and confidential one-on-one personal financial coaching through the VCE program at THRIVE Peninsula or contact Bank On Hampton Roads for information about a five-month financial educational program open to all residents.

Related Articles

MORE FROM AUTHOR