The Family Center Helps Bridge the Gap in Sagging Economy
The Columbus Times Newspaper, September 14, 2011
Mr. Lerone Harper has a message and he's willing to share it with anyone who is willing to listen. His goal is to educate and offer hope to citizens about their options in personal finance in an economy that at times appears hopeless. The Education Coordinator for Consumer Credit Counseling Services says that contrary to popular belief there are solutions to today's problems, to include considerations on debt management, establishing a budget, managing credit cards, and a host of other concerns.
Mr. Harper admits that although the number of people The Family Center help is growing, there are still too many people who are not aware of the services offered. "It is my goal to make as many people as possible aware of our services. We often see clients for the first time when they are in the middle of a crisis. However, we would love to see them before the crisis as to prevent it from ever happening," says Mr. Harper.
Under the umbrella of the Consumer Credit Counseling Service, citizens may walk in or make an appointment. The initial visit will assess the person(s) debt load and their debt-to-income ratio as to negotiate in their best interest with debtors. "Our goal is to bring the family budget back in line and we have several methods to achieve this goal," stated Mr. Harper, who said he would like to clear up any misconceptions that the agency is trying to sell anything. "We only want to focus on the finances."
The Family Center Consumer Credit has four counselors. They all have college degrees and have successfully completed the accreditation process through NFCC. Each counselor will service three to six clients per day depending on the needs of the client. "There is no quick fix. Everyone can be helped, it just depends on whether the outcome is acceptable to that person(s)," continued Mr. Harper, who has spent the last nine years of his career listening and lending a hand. The North Carolina State University graduate has a BS degree in Public Relations. Before joining the team at the Family Center, he worked at AIG Insurance. "It was here I got my first lesson in business and person finance," stated the Harris County native and Carver High graduate.
The benefits offered through the program are: elimination of collection calls; reduced interest rates; one affordable monthly payment; elimination of late and over-the-limit fees; potential prevention of foreclosures; repossessions, legal action, and shut-offs; a definitive time line to be debt free, and a personal budget and action plan to help you become a financial success.
The Center is open Monday through Friday. For more information, call 706-327-3239.
“Neighbors: Agency offers solutions to financial difficulties”
By Becky Holland Lifestyle editor
March 13, 2010
For people facing financial difficulties, Consumer Credit Counseling Service can be a beacon of hope. It offers financial management, debt reduction and prebankruptcy counseling through personal, one-on-one sessions to evaluate and discuss financial problems and other issues. And those are only a few of the free services offered by the agency, which is funded by United Way.
In the middle of it all, guiding clients to changes in their lifestyles is Beth McMillian. McMillian has been with the organization since moving from the foster grandparent program at West Georgia Medical Center. Even in the bleakest of moments in a person’s life, where worries surround money, McMillian is there to meet clients with a smile and a positive outlook. “It is only money,” she said with a laugh, “and everything will work itself out, so why worry?” She pointed at the door in her office. “I want every person who comes in here to walk out feeling better about their situation, even if they have to file bankruptcy.”
Her clients range from the blue-collar to the white-collar workers, to the unemployed to those in the medical profession. “I have a complete array of clients,” she said. “In today’s society, with the economy as it is, everyone is facing hard times.” With a degree in business from Auburn, McMillian always has been able to work with numbers and planning. “This job was right up my alley,” she said. She has seen it all when it comes to people in financial need. “And the way people worry. Some people literally get sick over their money issues, and it is my goal to help them get a new perspective,” she said.
With more than 18 years’ experience, McMillian usually can point folks in the right direction. “When someone comes in here, I ask them questions and pretty quickly can tell what the issue is and we start working on a solution,” she said. Solutions could be budgeting, checking account matters, altering money-management styles, credit counseling or evaluating credit reports. Calling herself “overly organized,” McMillian guides her clients through implementing a plan of action. “Sometimes, it is just getting their bills organized or showing them how to manage their money,” she said. “Today, with the economy as it is, we need to be more frugal and tucking money away is a good option.”
— The LaGrange office of Consumer Credit Counseling Services is at 309 Mooty Bridge Road. For more information, call (706) 845-7204.
— “Neighbors” spotlights people who are in the news, have unusual hobbies or are otherwise interesting. To suggest a person who could be profiled, contact Becky Holland at bholland@ lagrangenews or (706) 884-7311, Ext. 229.
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