ORLANDO, Fla. — A new program is helping local veterans take charge of their finances after returning to civilian life.

What You Need To Know

The Heart of Florida United Way “Mission United” offers free workshops for veterans, covering everything from budgeting to tools to become a homeowner

Mission United started in South Florida, and it’s now extended throughout the state with more than 12 locations. In Orlando, the program just celebrated its 10th anniversary, with the goal of assisting veterans and connecting them with resources and benefits available to them

The financial literacy workshops officially started in August 2025. So far, more than 150 veterans have attended

Beyond financial education, the program offers a variety of other services like housing assistance, education, and much more

The initiative led by the Heart of Florida United Way “Mission United” offers free workshops, covering everything from budgeting to tools to become a homeowner.

For more than two decades, Jeniffer Hutchinson-Fernandez has been helping veterans adjust to civilian life. 

“Got off active duty 21 years ago, and I’ve dedicated my life to helping my fellow brothers and sisters in arms for the last 21 years,” she said.

For the last seven years, she has been working as a case manager for the Heart of Florida United Way “Mission United” alongside Norris Henderson. They are both veterans and know firsthand what’s like walking that path.

“We know what veterans go through because we are veterans. A lot of times veterans want to talk to other veterans that have walked the path, having served in the military,” Henderson said.

Mission United started in South Florida, and it’s now extended all throughout the state with more than 12 locations. In Orlando, the program just celebrated its 10th anniversary, with the goal of assisting veterans and connecting them with resources and benefits available to them. 

“Our program is very unique because it connects veterans with an array of different resources when it comes to food insecurity, legal issues, employment, education, we are like the center piece for resources for veterans here in Central Florida,” Henderson said.

One of the programs offered is a financial literacy workshop, which officially started in August 2025. So far, more than 150 veterans have attended these workshops.

Commander of American Legion Post 331 Larry Colleton was among those who participated in one of the recent workshops, where veterans learned about budgeting, financial tools, and planning for the future.

“This program really offers a great opportunity to sort of develop that discipline,” Colleton said. “Military members, veterans are about following orders, about essentially being very focused, and so we want to get them to focus on their financial literacy because this is for the rest of their lives.”

He said not every military member serves up to the moment they are eligible to receive retirement benefits, so when they go into the workforce, having the necessary financial knowledge helps them achieve their goals as they adjust to civilian life. 

“Some are not homeowners, and they are looking at how they can become homeowners. Some have had some financial challenges, and they are looking at how, what are the options, you know how you address it. And this program offers them the means to really look at what’s out there, what’s available to them,” Colleton said.

He said they have these financial literacy sessions at least three to six times a year, and their goal is to become a hub for financial literacy.

“Inviting more and more veterans, not just simply legionnaires,” Colleton said. “There are countless numbers of veterans out there that are not affiliated with veteran service organizations, they are just out there. We want to make sure that we can sort of kind of reach out.”

Beyond financial education, the program offers a variety of other services.

Veterans can call or text 2-1-1 to receive assistance and get connected with a Mission United case manager. Someone who can listen to those on the other side and understand what they go through. “I’m a veteran myself, so I understand,” Hutchinson-Fernandez said.

They partner with various veteran organizations across Central Florida to assist with housing, employment, education and other services.

“I’ll ask them about their housing, their utilities, any resources out there that’s available I’m going to let them know because, unfortunately, a lot of veterans aren’t aware of what’s available to them,” Hutchinson-Fernandez said.

With every call, she takes pride in helping veterans who reach out. Assuring them always that on this side of the phone, someone is willing to help.  

“Then, it will be after one o’clock and I’ll reach out to you, but you will hear back from me today,” she said on the phone to a veteran who had called.