In this month's newsletter, learn about our upcoming zoning conversation, financial wellness policy happenings of note, racial equity in financial skills work, VITA volunteering, and more.

Join us at our next Financial Wellness Partnership Network Meeting Thursday 10/20, 1-2:30pm

The October meeting will continue our eviction prevention conversation with a Zoning 101 presentation from staff at the City of Tucson Planning & Development Services. Zoning is a crucial piece of the affordable housing puzzle. Historically, many communities used zoning policies to maintain segregation and exclude BIPOC groups from homeownership opportunities – practices that reverberate in economic inequality today. But with community input, zoning policies can shift and, in particular, serve as valuable tools to expand housing opportunities. We look forward to a conversation that covers the history of zoning, the basics of the zoning process, and how community members can participate in zoning decisions at a local level.

Additionally, our meeting will include updates from our public policy and financial education/coaching work teams. This will be an in-person meeting, with a virtual link available. Contact Lisa Floran (lfloran@unitedwaytucson.org) to receive the calendar invite.

Earlier this month, our public policy group checked in to discuss recent financial wellness opportunities and happenings of note. A few projects that the group is interested in continuing to follow include the Regional Prosperity Task Force, the state Housing Supply Study Committee, and opportunities to advocate for long-term emergency assistance funds, particularly after ARPA funding ends. Even with additional federal resources currently available for eviction prevention, the need continues to be great – particularly for individuals and families who are days away from eviction and do not have the time that the waitlist requires. On the topic of housing, group members also voiced concern that policy efforts might focus only on increasing housing supply and not address the urgent need to ensure that housing is also affordable.

In September, our Financial Coaching/Education group kicked off their meeting by responding to a central question: Why is adding a racial equity lens important to financial wellness work? Here are a few of their responses:

• It is important to me because a racial equity lens acknowledges how the system we are forced to live in was not built for people of color to succeed.

• Our programs won’t be effective unless we use the racial equity lens.

• We need to address the long-standing systemic barriers and structures that have left many out of opportunities.



• I want to make sure that the services my program offers are easily accessible to all.

Liquid asset data from Prosperity Now’s Scorecard suggest that less than half of Pima County households of color have enough cash to cover three months worth of expenses in the event of an emergency.

Later in the meeting, we reviewed local racial disparity data related to financial wellness indicators and learned about how programs in Oklahoma, Oregon, Hawaii, and California have adapted curricula for BIPOC populations. Rosalva Romero and Liz Rabago also shared insights about how they have adapted a financial education program to better serve Latina entrepreneurs at the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. A few strategies identified included acknowledging historical racial inequities directing in curricula and coaching, talking about finances with a multi-generational lens, and individualizing content based on participant interests and goals. Other resources mentioned at the meeting included SBA Spanish-language resources and Money Management International – Spanish resources.

Interested in helping families in your community? Train to be a VITA Volunteer with United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona! By volunteering with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, you’ll make a direct, positive impact by helping thousands of local families secure their largest paycheck of the year: their tax refund. United Way’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) provides free tax preparation to individuals and families earning up to $73,000 annually, and on average, VITA participants receive a refund of $1,800. Where else is an hour of your time worth $1,800?

When faced with an unexpected expense, no one should be forced to choose between keeping a roof overhead, food on the table, or utilities turned on. But in Southern Arizona, 1 in 5 households making $50,000 or less don’t have an extra $400 on hand for any type of emergency.

Last year, United Way provided emergency fund grants to 10 organizations working with high-need families, refugees, Afghan evacuees, Veterans, and survivors of domestic violence. Learn more about one of those emergency fund grant partners, Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest, in this interview with one of their team members.

Lutheran Social Services of The Southwest

Jeanine Balezi, Refugee and Immigration Services Case Manager

What is your role at Lutheran?

I facilitate the self-sufficiency and independence of refugee families, and coordinate services and community support to address the needs of refugees who may be affected by medical conditions or mental health concerns that impact their ability to function independently. We assist our clients/refugees to gain financial self-sufficiency through our Early Employment Program by helping refugees to identify employment opportunities, vocational training and language skills that will allow them to attain confidence while working toward their financial stability and self-sufficiency. In addition to helping them find employment, we also work with them on budgeting, job-readiness, and life skills.  

What is your favorite part about your position?

Being a part of this wonderful organization that allows me to assist refugees in navigating different bureaucracies and community support and to witness their success through employment and higher education (college/university). Simply, assisting refugees to resettle in Tucson from harm’s way to safety, from despair to hope, from deprivation to many opportunities and from oppression to freedom. 

What is your favorite part about living in Southern Arizona?

Arizona is unique and very special place. The greatest mountains, cactus, and our desert, are very therapeutic. I like how Arizona is very diverse and welcoming. Tucson Meet Yourself is one of my favorite events that highlights and appreciates our diverse cultures.

United Way Tucson Financial Wellness Resource List: Find programmatic and 1:1 opportunities for financial coaching/education, tax assistance, workforce development, and more on this list developed by United Way of Tucson and Southern AZ partners. If you are involved with a program, service, or other resource supporting financial wellness in Southern Arizona, we would love to add you to the list.

Want to add or update your program's entry? Use this form.

Youth on the Rise Re-Engagement App: A new resource guide to help youth 16-24 navigate services, resources, and systems in Pima County