About This 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’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. 

Financial Empowerment Programs 

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

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

• NYC Civic Corps programs with Financial Empowerment programs include:
  • New York Cares
  • Junior Achievement
  • Make the Road New York