On this month's podcast, Michelle Taylor, President and CEO of United Way of Delaware leads a conversation with Kenny Norwood and Mitchell Brenner, 2 interns at United Way of Delaware, about youth voice and empowerment, civic engagement and leadership, adult engagement and support, and their personal growth and experience working at United Way.

United Way of Delaware brings together people, organizations, and resources to address the challenges caused by long-standing disparities. In partnership with passionate community leaders, we are dedicated to creating opportunities that empower men, women, and children across Delaware and Salem County, New Jersey. Our mission is to help families move from crisis to thriving, ensuring every child gets a strong start by reading at grade level. We are committed to equipping the next generation with the skills they need to become the workforce our state needs to flourish, while also ensuring families have access to livable wages that support their success and stability. Together, we’re building a stronger, more vibrant future for all.

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On this month's podcast, Michelle Taylor, President and CEO of United Way of Delaware leads a conversation with Dr. Dorrell Green, Superintendent of Red Clay School district, and Ralph Smith, Managing Director of the Campaign for Grade Level Reading, exploring the importance of grade-level reading on an individual's future academic and life incomes, and community and school district partnership efforts to close the literacy gap.

United Way of Delaware brings together people, organizations, and resources to address the challenges caused by long-standing disparities. In partnership with passionate community leaders, we are dedicated to creating opportunities that empower men, women, and children across Delaware and Salem County, New Jersey. Our mission is to help families move from crisis to thriving, ensuring every child gets a strong start by reading at grade level. We are committed to equipping the next generation with the skills they need to become the workforce our state needs to flourish, while also ensuring families have access to livable wages that support their success and stability. Together, we’re building a stronger, more vibrant future for all.

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This month's podcast is dedicated to building stronger connections and getting to know our neighbors better. This podcast is a big part of that mission, where we delve into the stories of local changemakers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders who are working together to build healthy and sustainable minority businesses. Today, we’re in for an insightful discussion with three amazing individuals - Steve Johnson, Ray Parker, and LaVante Dorsey - who are driving positive change in their respective fields.

United Way of Delaware brings together people, organizations, and resources to address the challenges caused by long-standing disparities. In partnership with passionate community leaders, we are dedicated to creating opportunities that empower men, women, and children across Delaware and Salem County, New Jersey. Our mission is to help families move from crisis to thriving, ensuring every child gets a strong start by reading at grade level. We are committed to equipping the next generation with the skills they need to become the workforce our state needs to flourish, while also ensuring families have access to livable wages that support their success and stability. Together, we’re building a stronger, more vibrant future for all.

Stand By Me is a collaboration between the United Way of Delaware, the State of Delaware, and other partner organizations, offering free, confidential, one-on-one financial coaching to Delawareans. Our goal is to help individuals better understand their finances, make informed decisions, and achieve their financial goals.

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In this episode, Michelle Taylor, President and CEO of United Way of Delaware, sets the stage by introducing the concept of ALICE communities—the Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed—and the struggles of many individuals and families. Joined by long time Stand By Me coaches Lori Hurst-Farrell and Karen Summa, she discusses how Stand By Me offers a range of services designed to help these and other families achieve financial stability and break the cycle of poverty. The discussion highlights how organizations like UWDE and Stand By Me serve as crucial community resources, providing essential services that help individuals and families break free from the cycle of poverty.

United Way of Delaware brings together people, organizations, and resources to address the challenges caused by long-standing disparities. In partnership with passionate community leaders, we are dedicated to creating opportunities that empower men, women, and children across Delaware and Salem County, New Jersey. Our mission is to help families move from crisis to thriving, ensuring every child gets a strong start by reading at grade level. We are committed to equipping the next generation with the skills they need to become the workforce our state needs to flourish, while also ensuring families have access to livable wages that support their success and stability. Together, we’re building a stronger, more vibrant future for all.

Stand By Me is a collaboration between the United Way of Delaware, the State of Delaware, and other partner organizations, offering free, confidential, one-on-one financial coaching to Delawareans. Our goal is to help individuals better understand their finances, make informed decisions, and achieve their financial goals.

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This episode explores managing finances through divorce and single parenting. We’re joined by Lori Hurst-Farrell and Traceé Taylor in a conversation about the primary considerations and challenges of finances through divorce and how individuals can best manage through this difficult new financial reality. Topics include support considerations for both parents, importance of building a realistic and manageable post-divorce financial plan, employment considerations, assistance programs, and more. 

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

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This episode looks at the rise of marketplace scams - how to easily spot and avoid them, and what do you if you've been scammed. Joining us as guests are Jude Liskiewicz and Manoj Philip from the Stand By Me program, in a wide-ranging conversation about why scams work, why it's easy to fall for them, some of the patterns to look for to help identify a scam, and how to keep yourself as safe as possible.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

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This podcast episode explores the important connection between money and our health, including how our health can impact our finances, how our finances can impact our health, and mental health concerns that can arise as a result of financial issues. Our guests on this episode are Karen Summa and Erin Doordan from the Stand By Me program. 

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

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The topic for this episode is food insecurity, how that impacts our community, and resources and partnerships within our State to address our community's need for sufficient and healthy food. To speak about this topic are Anna McDermott and  Megan Zavala from The Food Bank of Delaware, one of Stand By Me's long-term implementation partners. 
 
Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

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The topic for this episode is home ownership, particularly how rising costs are impacting new homeowners and the challenges that presents. To speak about this topic are Delilah Blanchard and Sarah Cha Cha Carter, both from Stand By Me’s Home program.
 
Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

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One of the big challenges we are seeing today is how inflation is resulting in higher prices and reduced spending power. Therefore, some creative ways of shopping and budgeting are needed. On today’s podcast we’re joined by Lori Hurst-Farrell and Larron Briddell, two coaches from the Stand By Me program to talk about budgeting for today’s economy.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

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Living as a first or second generation immigrant in this country and the State of Delaware can present many challenges, particularly for those navigating the world of personal finance such as purchasing a home, paying for college, and other major life events.

Maria Ramos and Edwin Santos from United Way of Delaware's Stand By Me program are featured on this podcast episode, to talk about the challenges that Hispanic and Latino individuals face in the State of Delaware, and how the Stand By Me program helps support them and their families through all stages of life.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

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As fall approaches, many families’ thoughts turn to school, and for families with students approaching college enrollment, FAFSA – the free application for federal student aid – is a hot topic. There are a number of recent significant changes to the FAFSA, and here on this episode to tell us more about those changes are Cory Dunt and Candace Powell Kinard from Stand By Me’s NexGen program.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

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The Stand By Me program would not be possible without the incredible coaching team, who are truly the heart of the program. Stand By Me is successful is because it connects customers with a coach for a one-on-one, highly customized partnership, where the coaches work closely with their customers through their financial challenges and onto prosperity. 

This episode is all about the coaches – their passion and commitment, their strength, wisdom and skill, and the diversity of experiences and perspectives they bring to their work. Along the way we’ll also learn some things about why they got involved, what motivates them to do this work and help others, and what they each uniquely bring to the table in helping their customers reach their financial goals.

This is a chance to let the Stand By Me coaches shine, to speak from their heart about their role as a coach, and to elevate the visibility of the SBM coaches as a whole and the important work they do each day.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

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This podcast - Homebuying... 123 - How to go from Creditworthy to Mortgage Qualified - tackles important topics for the first-time homebuyer such as: 

• The importance of credit – how does it factor into securing a mortgage?
• What are the factors that influence credit scores? 
• Saving for a down payment – what are some strategies for success?
• Shopping for a mortgage - how to evaluate lender choices? 
• What are some common mistakes first time home buyers should avoid? 

... and much more!

Guests on the program are Sarah Carter - Stand By Me Home Program Manager / Financial Coach, Traceé Taylor - Program Supervisor for Kent & Sussex, and Laura Gendreaux - Director of Financial Empowerment.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

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The latest Stand By Me Podcast features Donna Snyder-White, Vice President, Financial Empowerment for United Way of Delaware, and Lynn Bivens, Senior Community Resource Specialist for Delaware 211, to discuss Delaware 211, the services it provides, and how it connects to and supports the mission of Stand By Me.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

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The latest Stand By Me Podcast features Laura Gendreau, Director of Financial Empowerment, and Jude Liszkiewicz, Program Manager and Coach with the Stand By Me program, discussing what we've learned from the past year, and how to move forward into the new year ready for success. Specifically, this program covers:

Post-Covid what have we learned from a financial perspective? What have we seen?

• Increased opportunity for savings? 
• More acutely aware of budgeting?
• Rising interest rates impacting credit card and mortgage debt?
• Student loan relief?
• Need for more housing - rental and purchase.

Where do want to go financially in the new year?

• Retirement savings - identifying when to begin.
• More creative ways to add secondary income.
• Financial diversification?
• Identifying more available supportive services via our partners.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

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The latest Stand By Me Podcast features Jude Liszkiewicz and Karen Summa, two long-time coaches with the Stand By Me program. On this program, they dispel a number of myths about credit, and also define a number of common financial terms. Come learn from these two highly-experienced coaches!

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

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The latest Stand By Me Podcast features Dinette Rivera, the Lead Trainer for the Stand By Me program. Ms. Rivera is a University of Delaware (U.D.) Customized Learning Solutions Instructor.  She is a U.D. Certified Financial Coach Trainer and Certified Financial Coach.  Ms. Rivera has trained hundreds of Financial Coaches for the Stand by Me Financial Coaching Program since it's inception over ten years ago.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

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The latest Stand By Me Podcast features Kevin Gilmore, CEO, and Heather Barony, COO of Sussex County Habitat for Humanity, to discuss Stand By Me's partnership with Sussex County Habitat for Humanity, how that partnership serves the needs of residents of Sussex County, the importance of housing security in fostering a safe and healthy community, and some of the factors impacting people's ability to purchase a home in today's economy.

Founded in 1991 as an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity international, Sussex County Habitat for Humanity has served over 2,500 individuals throughout Sussex County through home construction and preservation, home repairs, financial literacy and energy efficient upgrades.

Each year SCHFH brings together thousands of volunteers and community members to become part of the solution to Sussex County’s affordable housing need. To date, Sussex County Habitat has built or rehabbed and sold over 160 homes.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

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April is National Fair housing Month.

The latest Stand By Me Podcast features Denise Freeman, Community Services Director, and Ron Sudler, Stand By Me Coach, from NCALL to discuss the importance of fair housing, the longstanding partnership between NCALL and United Way of Delaware, and how the Stand By Me program helps NCALL fulfill on its mission.

NCALL is a nonprofit organization based in Dover, Delaware, that specializes in affordable housing development, education and lending.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

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March is National Credit Awareness Month. In today's world,  so much of our ability to accomplish our financial goals requires good credit. Joining us for today's podcast is Jude Liskiewicz and Manoj Philip, two Stand By Me coaches who work closely with individuals to access their credit reports, understand factors that affect their credit scores, and ways to improve those scores over time. 
 
Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

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Thanks to a new alliance between Barclays Bank and United Way of Delaware, Delaware minority-owned-and-operated small businesses may now be eligible to receive free financial coaching and business support services aimed at helping grow their business revenue as much as 20%.

This podcast features a conversation with Naya Boulden and Terrence Wiggins, 2 business owners participating in the Minority Small Business Program, and Steve Johnson, their Stand By Me Coach. Listen in to learn more about the nature of the coach / participant relationship, and how this program has helped Naya and Terrence's businesses.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

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This episode features Kathleen Rupert and Geri Huss from the Stand By Me 50+ program, to discuss senior scams and how individuals can learn to identify how to spot scams, how to protect themselves, what to do if they feel they're being targeted, and what to do if they have been the victim of a scam. 
 
Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Stand By Me 50+ program provides information, resources and support to increase the economic stability of Delawareans age 50 and older. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

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This episode features Laura Gendreau and Karen Summa from Stand By Me, in a discussion about the 2021 Enhanced Child Tax Credit. Changes to the program this year provide families with extra funds each month through the end of 2021 along with a tax break next year. Laura and Karen discuss details of the program including eligibility requirements and where to find out more information, and they also present strategies to best utilize the additional funds available to families and households. 
 
Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

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This two-part episode celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Stand By Me program, by featuring interviews with key individuals who helped to launch the program, their reflections on the early years, the evolution of the program, what's behind its enduring success, and their hopes for the future.

On this episode we're joined by Stand By Me founder Mary Dupont, and some of the key individuals who helped during the launch and early years of the program including Paul Calistro and Jude Liszkiewicz of West End Neighborhood House, and former members of the Stand By Me staff team including Izzy Mead, and Sharikka "Shay" Frisby.

Stand By Me® provides Delawareans with a Personal Financial Coach and a toolkit to navigate the challenges leading to personal financial security. The Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership (DFEP) is a joint venture of the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware working together to combine resources and to create and implement an innovative package of financial empowerment services. We are joined by a coalition of non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and educational institutions.

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