About the Financial Empowerment Center
The Rochester Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) provides free, professional one-on-one financial counseling as a public service without restrictions.
Serving community members living, working, and going to school in Monroe County, the Rochester FEC is here to assist you on your way to achieving your financial goals by helping you address any concerns you might have with savings, debt, credit or banking. The Rochester Financial Empowerment Center is a collaborative program led by the City of Rochester Mayor’s Office of Financial Empowerment in partnership with The Housing Council at PathStone.
The Rochester FEC has served Monroe County residents since 2020, impacting thousands of individuals and helping them achieve hundreds of financial milestones!
Contact:
Fincial Empowerment Center
We know that setting money aside is easier said than done! We are here to coach you through the process of building good, realistic savings habits that will get you closer to making a big purchase or creating a financial safety net for your future.
Work with a counselor to take control of your debt, learn how to contact and talk to debt collectors, and compare all of your repayment options.
Work with a counselor to build up your credit score and learn how each point counts toward getting your closer to your financial goals whether you are looking to purchase a car, a home, or start a business.
We can help you connect with safe and affordable bank accounts, and other financial products and services that better meet your needs and gives you a boost in reaching your goals.
Hear From Our Clients
Financial counseling with the Financial Empowerment Center has helped clients achieve and exceed their goals. Imagine what a session could do for you!
Mia, Rochester FEC
I wanted to say thank you so much to Mr. Juan Lozada. The information and knowledge that he shared during our meeting was more than helpful. We were able to apply for a car loan with confidence and security. Not only did he provide the information in a clear and concise manner, he filled me with the confidence and security to know that I had someone who I could trust and rely on.
Belinda, FEC Client
Since working with Juan at FEC my credit score has increased high enough to obtain pre-qualification for a mortgage, I have attended first time home buyer workshops and applied for grants through community agencies and the City of Rochester. I also have a better understanding of my credit report/score and how my spending and paying my bills can have either a positive or negative impact on my score."
Qutisha, FEC Client
"While using the services I found out about all the negative items on my credit that wasn't mine. I found out that someone had stolen my identity which I would of never known if I wouldn't of have used these great services provided to me. I also was able to open a second-chance bank account through Chase bank which I never knew I could do without the great opportunity to use your services."
Meet our staff
Briana Watson, FEC Director
Juan Lozada, Senior FEC Counselor
Meet our supporters
The Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund) improves financial stability by embedding financial empowerment in local government. As the primary grantor of the Rochester Financial Empowerment Center (FEC), the CFE Fund has provided us with the FEC model and has provided ongoing support to launch the program in Rochester.
The CFE Fund is promoting FEC replication through supporting cohorts of local government leaders to develop, launch, and implement financial counseling as a free public service, along with strategic research projects to enhance the success of financial counseling.