Empowering You to Achieve Financial Stability
Are you feeling overwhelmed by financial stress? Do you want to take control of your finances and build a brighter future? Appalachian Opportunity Fund (AOF) is here to help.
AOF is dedicated to building community wealth by providing free financial coaching in Central Appalachia.
AOF’s program is designed to benefit everyone from middle-income households to those who are part of the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population (or earn above the Federal Poverty Level but still struggle to afford basic living costs).
What is People-Centered Financial Coaching?
AOF provides 100% free financial coaching services to community members across Northeast Tennessee. AOF embraces families with genuineness and warmth. AOF’s financial coaching is designed to meet you where you are and help you achieve your unique financial goals. AOF builds authentic, long-term coaching relationships with clients to help them:
- Repay high-interest predatory loans
- Co-create and achieve financial goals
- Reduce financial stress
How AOF's Financial Coaching Works
Personalized: We meet with you in a confidential, one-on-one environment to assess your unique financial situation before creating goals or taking action
Goal-Driven: We help you to create a personalized plan and financial goals to reduce your financial stress and build your personal wealth
Ongoing: You can meet with your AOF coach for as long as you need. Typically, we find that clients like to have many meetings early in the coaching process, and that coaching sessions become less frequent over time.
AOF's Impact
AOF’s clients, on average, experience the following:
- Increased credit scores
- Decreased delinquent debt
- Decreased predatory debt
- Decreased debt-to-income ratio
- New savings and investments
- Reduced financial stress
"I'm 3.5 years sober and finally living a life I'm proud of. The AOF program has given me the financial freedom to stop worrying about bills and focus on my future."
Real Stories, Real Change
“Building my confidence financially has affected far more than my bank account: it has changed my life,” says an AOF client.
“I’m 3.5 years sober and finally living a life I’m proud of. The AOF program has given me the financial freedom to stop worrying about bills and focus on my future,” shares another.
One AOF client, after being released from prison with no income or family support, was paired with a financial coach who helped her set realistic goals. She is now working both full-time and part-time, owns her own car, and is working toward joint custody of one of her children.
Another client said that their coach saved them thousands on health insurance premiums and refinancing high interest loans. Their credit score went up 80 points and they were able to buy an affordable car.
Take the Next Step
Ready to start your journey to financial empowerment? Please fill out our self-referral form:
Cost Statement: Our financial coaching services are 100% free to the client.