ORLANDO, Fla. — With a new year comes new financial goals, and for many, that can feel overwhelming.

One local program is stepping in to help people take control of their money and plan for a stronger financial future.

What You Need To Know

A free Goodwill program offers one-on-one financial coaching

The Prosperity Platform helps participants with savings, budgeting, and debt

The program has been growing since launching in 2021
Participants say accountability and guidance make financial goals feel achievable

Goodwill’s Prosperity Platform is a free program offering one-on-one financial coaching to help people move forward with confidence.

“I needed accountability. I needed that assistance at the time,” said Crystal Hamilton, founder of GO!MOM Empowers Inc.

Talking about money wasn’t always easy for Hamilton. She had goals in mind but felt stuck trying to figure it all out on her own.

According to a study by Bankrate, nearly 1 in 10 people said they don’t know how they’ll address their main financial goal in the coming year.

“My biggest financial goals were to get my savings rolling. To ensure that we have something in the savings because at the time, (it) was nonexistent,” Hamilton said.

Coaching from Goodwill’s prosperity planners includes discussions on goals like saving for a home, tackling credit card debt, budgeting and more.

“When we come in this is a no judgment zone. We ask people what is it that they see for themselves and their family,” said Latricia Holt, a prosperity planner with Goodwill.

The program launched in 2021 and continues to grow.

“In our meetings, we sit down and talk about their goals and what they want to achieve. Their dreams,” Holt said. “Then we set up plans to make those goals step by step. So we just come alongside them, to help them as they make the decisions on what they want for themselves and their family.”

For Hamilton, the support made all the difference.

“The first step is to be aware that you need the help and secondly is to put your pride aside,” she said.

It’s a reminder that while money conversations can be uncomfortable, they’re often the first step toward lasting financial stability.