Our Financial Empowerment Program is here to help you build your money management skills and access financial services. With the support of our program staff and knowledgeable financial volunteers, you can get the help you need to open a bank account, understand your credit report, reach financial goals, and more, all at no cost to you. If time is a constraint, we also have a self-paced options. Either working on your own, or with our team, we have resources to help you reduce your debt, grow your savings, and gain more financial stability. You can learn more about how to access our self-paced programs, one-on-one financial coaching, intensives, Balance Pro personal finance education tools, and tax return preparation assistance all through the links below.

LIFT Program: A Lifeline for Single Mothers

At Samaritan House, we believe in the power of transformation. That’s why we’ve launched the LIFT (Lifeline to Ignite Financial Transformation) Pilot Program, a groundbreaking supplemental income initiative designed to empower single mothers in San Mateo County to achieve lasting financial stability.
Click here to find out more.

The First Step: Self-paced

Learn by playing online games, watching webinars, and more! This is an easily accessible and fun way for you to increase your personal finance skills. The First Step is primarily a self-paced program, available 24-7, so you can participate on your own schedule. All you need to participate is internet access and an email address. If eligible, you can earn cash incentives too!
Click here to learn more.

The Roadmap: One-on-One Financial Coaching

Financial strength doesn’t have to be a dream for the future. Make it happen with your own personal financial coach. Samaritan House provides financial coaches to work with you to achieve your financial goals. Improving your finances can be challenging, but with the support of a financial coach, you can achieve your goals.
Click here to learn more.

The Journey: An 8-month intensive

The Journey is an eight (8) month long guided program which will help you assess and improve your financial future. Working with a personal financial coach, you will have the opportunity to dive deep into your personal finances and determine where you are, and where you want to go. Earn cash and other incentives along the way by attending monthly webinars and financial trainings!
Click here to get started with your application.

Balance Pro Online Financial Resource

At Samaritan House San Mateo, we care about your financial wellness. That’s why we’ve partnered with industry-leading BALANCE to provide you with free access to expertly-crafted financial education and resources to help with your fiscal matters. Attend free interactive webinars to learn the basics of financial planning. This free tool offers help you can access on your time, whenever you need it. For all your financial life stage changes and more, we—in partnership with BALANCE—are here to help.
Click here to sign up for your account.

Tax Return Preparation Assistance

Each tax season, Samaritan House partners with the United Way’s VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program to provide tax preparation help. This service is provided free of charge. The average refund for participants is $1,700.
To learn more about the program, click here.

Can you be a Financial Assistance Volunteer?

Volunteers are an important part of all of our Financial Empowerment initiatives. You do not need to be a financial services professional to volunteer as a coach, or in the VITA tax return assistance program. We are looking for individuals with a desire to use their own money management experience to help others, and who want to learn or enhance coaching skills. If you have any questions about becoming a volunteer Financial Coach or VITA volunteer, please email our financial empowerment program staff at [email protected] prior to submitting an application.

To begin the process of volunteering, please visit our Volunteering Pages.