About the initiative

The Department of Consumer Affairs’ Office of Financial Empowerment (OFE) is the first local government initiative in the nation aimed expressly at educating, empowering, and protecting those with low incomes, so they can build assets and make the most of their financial resources.

 OFE works with government agencies, community-based organizations, philanthropic partners, think tanks, and the private sector to increase financial literacy, improve access to smart financial products and services, and protect against fraudulent and deceptive practices.

OFE’s Financial Empowerment Centers provide New Yorkers with the “gold standard” of financial education: free, confidential, and individualized financial counseling and coaching. Center staff and volunteers provide direct assistance to people in crisis by helping families stabilize their finances and plan for their future and by providing strategic referrals to other public and private resources. 

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Volunteer with Know Before You Enroll!

NYC Service is partnering with the Coalition for Debtor Education to run financial literacy workshops for adult populations.  

The goal of these classes is to teach adults to research schools and institutions and explore their options before enrolling in programs or taking out loans.  Volunteers must attend an evening training session in late February led by the Coalition for Debtor Education. 

To sign up as a Know Before You Enroll volunteer, please fill out this survey with your most up-to-date information. 

Other Financial Empowerment Programs 

OFE and its citywide network of financial education providers rely on volunteers to provide skilled support on a large scale.

• Trained volunteers help carry out initiatives such as Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA), helping New Yorkers get the most of their tax return.