January/February 2016               
 
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Happy New Year! 2016 is off to a great start. We are pleased to introduce you to our new Board Chair, Sharon Mylius, and we would like to thank Jay Meadows, our former Board chair, for his outstanding leadership and commitment to our mission and all of the families we serve.

January was National Mentoring Month. We thank our mentors for their dedication, support and commitment to our mission and families of Tarrant County. In an effort to further support our mentors, we will be hosting a monthly Mentor Mixer on the second Thursday of the month. We hope you can join us!   

We are excited to announce that due to your overwhelming support we have been awarded  a  2016 Yelp Foundation Grant.

Thank you Communities Foundation of Texas  for sponsoring the Coaching Development Series, allowing Tarrant County trained financial coaches the opportunity to strengthen their skills.

Both the Mentoring and Financial Capability programs continue working together with our community partners and the individuals/families we serve helping them on the path to self-sufficiency.

Please remember to check out our upcoming events and share some  valuable tax season resources  with your mentees and clients.

Meet our New Board ChairMentor
Sharon Mylius & Jay Meadows
 
We are excited to introduce to you our new Board Chair, Sharon Mylius, and to say thank you to our former Board Chair Jay Meadows for his dedication and commitment not only to our mission, but to the individuals and families we serve.

Sharon has been in the banking industry for the past twenty-five years, and with Woodhaven Bank for the past 10 years. She has served on the Development and Special Events committees for FPTC during her 8 year board tenure. Sharon stated "I have really enjoyed being a part of such an impactful group and am looking forward to the upcoming year." Sharon believes that people do not want a handout, but truly desire a hand up, and that If you give people the right tools there are no limits to what they can accomplish. She also believes we must all remember that we could easily be in the same situation as many of our clients were it not for one or two decisions or opportunities.  This is what she had to say about volunteering on Family Pathfinders' board,
 
"...I feel strongly that we are meant to use the gifts we have been given to help where we can, and knowing that I might have a small part in changing the life of a family is extremely fulfilling."

National Mentoring Month  Lunch
 
January was National Mentoring Month!  National Mentoring Month was created in 2002 by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership. National Mentoring Month focuses national attention on the need for mentors, as well as how each of us as individuals, businesses, government agencies, schools, faith communities and nonprofits can work together to increase the number of mentors to assure positive outcomes for individuals and families within our communities. This month, more than ever, Family Pathfinders is grateful for its wonderful mentors. 
Thank you for sharing your experiences with us and our clients!
Agency NewsEvents
 
  Thank you for voting for us! 
We are excited to announce we have been awarded as a recipient of the Yelp Foundation Grant !
 
 In 2011 Yelp Inc. established the Yelp Foundation with one percent of company equity to support charitable organizations and activities addressing the needs of local communities, including access to information, education, local economic development, and freedom of expression, and to promote a culture of philanthropy among employees of Yelp Inc. The Foundation accomplishes its charitable goals by making grants to deserving nonprofits throughout the U.S., and matching donations made to charities by Yelp employees up to $1,000 per person per year.   

Coaching Development Series Events
Kathryn Arnold, Laura Stackhouse, and Ashley McIver

In January, Family Pathfinders kicked off a Coaching Development Series.  Financial Coaching is a skill that improves with continual practice.  Thanks to generous support from Communities Foundation of Texas, we will host quarterly opportunities for all trained financial coaches in Tarrant County to improve their coaching skills and techniques.  On January 22 nd we introduced 29 area coaches to a new coaching tool and devoted the morning to  practice and exchange
ideas and best practices. 

Thank you, Communities Foundation of Texas!
Program News  Lunch
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Both the Mentoring and Financial Capability programs continue to work together with our families and partner agencies within Tarrant County to help our families on their paths to
self-sufficiency. Recently, Cornerstone staff  hosted a Welcome Home Luncheon for our clients who are transitioning out of the Intensive Day Treatment Program at Tarrant County Jail. At Tarrant County College, Family Empowerment Center, we continue to coach and increase our clients' knowledge on all financial topics including: Budgeting, Banking, Borrowing, and Credit.
  Thanks to both partners for your support in serving our community!
Upcoming EventsEvents
 
Monthly Mentor Mixer
Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016
7:30am-9:00am
Ol' South Pancake House
1509 S. University Drive
Fort Worth

Mentors, save the date! Join us for our Monthly Mentor Mixer and meet your fellow mentors.  We would like to use this opportunity to discuss how your mentorship is going, share successes and challenges with other mentors and anything else that is on your mind! 
 
Keep an eye on your inbox for an invitation!
ImAMentor

Mentor Training Session
Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016
9:00am - 3:00pm
2601 Clover Lane
Fort Worth

Please forward this newsletter to friends and family who are interested in becoming mentors. We have many wonderful opportunities in Family, Youth or Reentry mentoring for those looking for a meaningful  volunteer  experience.
 
Register today or call the office at  (817) 731-1173 for more details. 
  
Ta rrant County needs you! 
 

America Saves Week
Feb. 22-Feb. 27,2016


America Saves Week is coordinated by  America Saves and the  American Savings Education Council. Started in 2007, the Week is an annual opportunity for organizations to promote good savings behavior and a chance for individuals to assess their own saving status. Typically thousands of organizations participate in the Week, reaching millions of people.

ResourcesResources
 
Free Tax Preparation
Provided by Catholic Charities Fort Worth, 
the City of Fort Worth, Communities Foundation, and United Way
January 21 - April 15 2016
 
Tax season is coming up and Catholic Charities of Fort Worth, the City of Fort Worth, Communities Foundation, and United Way are partnering to provide free tax preparation through VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) for families with an annual income of $54,000 or less. To find VITA locations near you, visit www.freetaxdfw.com or call 211.
   Dreaming of Buying a new house?
Homebuyers may qualify and utilize up to $14,999 in down payment and closing cost assistance through the City of Fort Worth's Homebuyer Assistance Program

 
Tarrant County Housing Partnership, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to making the American dream of home ownership a reality for low and moderate income families.  Their mission is to revitalize distressed neighborhoods and increase the amount of quality, affordable housing for low to moderate income families and people with special housing needs.
 
Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness

Earned Income Tax Credit or EITC, also called EIC, is an important benefit providing a financial boost to working individuals and families. The IRS estimates four of five eligible taxpayers claim and get this important credit. To claim EITC, you need to meet certain qualifications and file a return even if you have no other filing requirement or owe no tax. Find more EITC Information on www.irs.gov/eitc and share this helpful PDF, Guide to Everything Earned Income Tax Credit for Individuals Online.

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