Young Adult Financial Empowerment Program

This free eight-week program is designed to help young DC adults strengthen their financial skills and create achievable financial goals for themselves.

It includes:

  • Eight intensive two-hour financial education workshops

  • Free financial and credit counseling

  • $100 in investment seed funding

  • A free meal provided at each in-person session

Over the course of eight weeks, participants gain the basic financial knowledge, tools, and resources on the following topics:

  1. Spending Plans, S.M.A.R.T. Goals and Action Plans

  2. Understanding Your Paycheck

  3. Savings, Interest, and Financial Institutions

  4. Credit Cards and Debit Cards

  5. Investments

  6. Credit Scores and Credit Reports

  7. Scams and Know Your Rights

  8. Financial Aid for Next Steps

“It’s not as hard as I thought, it isn't inaccessible, and financial freedom are for people that look like me.”

“I used to feel like there was little I could do to affect my personal finances before I joined this program, but now I feel as if I have more tools at my disposal.”

- Testimony from Program Participants

Our Young Adult Financial Empowerment Program’s pilot year concluded in 2024 with 56 program graduates across the four cohorts offered that year. Exciting feedback from that pilot year includes that:

  • 98% said they made changes to their financial habits or decisions as a result of the program

  • 93% said they would recommend this program to their family and friends

  • 100% were either “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the program

  • Over 60% reported increased confidence in investing by the end of the program

  • Nearly 50% increased their confidence in financial stress and consumer protection

  • On a scale of 1-5, participants gave the program an average overall score of 4.8, the equivalent to a grade of 96/100—an “A”!

 
 

To be eligible for this free program, participants must be at least 18 years old and either a DC resident or a student at UDC residing in the DMV area. We particularly welcome participants from Wards 7 and 8! Check out information on upcoming cohorts below. Registration page coming soon!

Spring 2025 - In Person

Standing Day/Time: Tuesdays, 4-6 PM
Dates: Weekly, March 18 to May 6
Location: Deanwood Neighborhood (exact address available upon registration)

Summer 2025 - In Person

Standing Day/Time: Tuesdays (Time TBD)
Dates: Weekly, June 10 to August 5*
Location: TBD

Fall 2025 - In Person

Standing Day/Time: Tuesdays, time TBD
Dates: Weekly, September 23 to November 18*
Location: TBD

Winter 2026 - In Person

Standing Day/Time: Tuesdays, time TBD
Dates: Weekly, January 13 to March 3*
Location: TBD

Spring 2025 - Virtual

Standing Day/Time: Thursdays, 4-6 PM
Dates: Weekly, March 20 to May 8
Location: Virtual (via Zoom)

Summer 2025 - Virtual

Standing Day/Time: Wednesdays, time TBD
Dates: Weekly, June 11 to August 6*
Location: Virtual (via Zoom)

Fall 2025 - Virtual

Standing Day/Time: Wednesdays, time TBD
Dates: Weekly, September 24 to November 12*
Location: Virtual (via Zoom)

Winter 2026 - Virtual

Standing Day/Time: Thursdays, time TBD
Dates: Weekly, January 15 to March 5*
Location: Virtual (via Zoom)

*Summer, Fall, and Winter program dates are subject to change. Please reach out to the program coordinator, Sophie Adler (sa@tzedekdc.org) with any questions.

Media coverage on the program includes:

Our Partners