The monthly Grupo de Mujeres is a collaborative program between Eastern Area Community Ministries and Kentucky State University's Cooperative Extension program. The group welcomes all Spanish-speaking women who want to participate in financial education, life-skill development, and female empowerment for themselves and their families. As of September 2022, we have educated the participants on financial skills such as opening savings and checking accounts, understanding the difference between different forms of payments and how to apply them, making budgeting plans, and creating financial goals. During the meetings, we have been focusing on creating short-term, intermediate, and long-term financial goals. Although the participants' short and intermediate financial goals differ, the majority of participants have expressed that their long-term goal consists of owning a home. In January 2022, many participants did not know the difference between checking and savings accounts, how to budget, or how to financially plan for the future. Today, many of the participants have stated that they have developed a sense of community and are more comfortable when it comes to discussing and handling financial matters. To make the meetings more accessible to participants, the program is conducted in Spanish every 4th Tuesday of the month from 6-8:30 pm. We also moved the meeting location to a place that is within walking distance and bus access, while also providing childcare and small hot meals to participants and their families. 

(Picture with Paty Robles (EACM director of multicultural services) and some of the participants)