Employment Program / Women's
Program / Legal Program / Educational Program / Credit
Program
A pioneering team of national organizations and community-based worker centers have embarked on an asset-building project that takes an entrepreneurial approach to meeting the financial service needs of low-wage workers, particularly immigrants, and accruing economic benefits for low-income communities. The store value card (SVC) project aims 1) to provide inexpensive, reliable financial services and financial literacy education to low-wage workers and 2) to build a sustainable income stream for worker centers and community-based organizations organizing and advocating for greater economic and social well-being in low-income communities. The card program is a way for low-income families to better manage finances and transact securely and reliably at competitive prices; the card consolidates vital services such as check-cashing, bill-paying, and international money transfer. It is also a way for community organizations to develop an income stream independent of foundations. The project will establish revenue-sharing contracts with card vendors which multiplies the benefits of card usage, and worker centers can formalize and regularlize membership dues collection through the card.
