HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-07-13 Financial Navigator Program Announced in Hawaii County -- press release
Roy Takemoto
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
County of Hawai‘i
Office of the Mayor
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 (808) 961-8211 Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740
(808) 323-4444 Fax (808) 323-4440
July 13, 2020
NEWS RELEASE
Hawaiʻi County Announces Launch Of A Free Financial Navigator Service To Help
Residents Tackle COVID-19 Financial Challenges
In partnership with national nonprofit organization the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund
(CFE Fund), Mayor Harry Kim announced today the launch of a free Financial Navigators
program to help residents navigate critical financial issues related to the COVID-19
pandemic.
Financial Navigators will be available remotely starting July 13, 2020, to provide guidance
over the phone to help residents access available programs and services to manage income
disruptions and other financial concerns. The Financial Navigators program is designed to
help residents deal with the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing remote
assistance in navigating critical financial issues and making referrals to other appropriate
social services and resources. The County of Hawaii will offer these Financial Navigator
services in partnership with Hawaii First Federal Credit Union.
“Helping residents who are facing financial challenges due to COVID-19 is a critical part of
the County’s front-line response and recovery efforts,” said Mayor Harry Kim. “The County is
proud to partner with Hawaii First Federal Credit Union in providing this free public service for
all residents of the County.”
Residents can access these remote services by completing the web form found at:
www.hawaiifirstfcu.com/community-resource-center or by calling 808-933-6600 to sign up.
The Financial Navigator will then send a short service agreement and call the client to begin
their personal session. Organizations across the County can also refer clients directly to a
Financial Navigator.
The County of Hawaiʻi is launching the Financial Navigators program in partnership with the
CFE Fund, who provided grant funding along with significant technical assistance and
training to launch the program in the County of Hawaiʻi and other cities and counties across
the nation.
“Financial distress is a primary part of the COVID-19 crisis, and we’re pleased Mayor Kim
County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
and his team is making this a priority for Hawaiʻi Island residents,” said Jonathan Mintz,
President and CEO of the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund. “The Financial Navigators
program will help Hawaiʻi Island residents assess and prioritize their financial concerns and
get connected with the right resources.”
For more information, please contact Sharon Hirota at 961-8019.
About the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund)
The CFE Fund supports municipal efforts to improve the financial stability of households by
leveraging opportunities unique to local government. By translating cutting edge experience
with large scale programs, research, and policy in cities of all sizes, the CFE Fund assists
mayors and other local leaders to identify, develop, fund, implement, and research pilots and
programs that help families build assets and make the most of their financial resources. The
CFE Fund is currently working in over 80 cities, and has disbursed over $42 million to
city/county governments and their partners to support these efforts. For more information,
please visit www.cfefund.org.
County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.