April is Financial Capability Awareness Month, a time to highlight the importance of financial education, access, and empowerment. At CLUES, this month, we celebrate the resilience, growth, and progress of the Latino families and individuals we serve every day.

Throughout 2025, our Financial Prosperity team made a meaningful impact by supporting our community on their financial journeys. More than 150 participants engaged in our Financial Capability Cohorts, with 42 individuals completing all five sessions and earning a Certificate of Completion. In addition, our team delivered over 50 workshops covering essential topics such as budgeting, saving, credit building, landlord engagement, tenant rights, and homeownership. These sessions are designed to meet people where they are, offering practical tools and culturally relevant guidance that empower participants to take control of their financial well-being and build a more stable future.

Homeownership remains a key goal for many families. In 2026, 141 households attended our homebuyer education workshops, taking important steps toward purchasing a home. Additionally, 56 participants joined Lending Circles, with 90% reporting increased credit scores and improved savings habits.

This past tax season also brought a significant impact. Our team successfully prepared over 700 tax returns, helping return more than $2M to our community. These refunds play a critical role in helping families cover essential expenses like rent, utilities, and food, especially during a time when many are facing financial hardship.

Our Small Business Program highlights its economic impact across our community. In the past year, CLUES supported 545 unique small business participants, contributing to the support of over 1,300 jobs. Together, these entrepreneurs helped generate more than $31 million in business revenue and sustain over $10 million in local income. With a multiplier effect, this translates to a total economic impact of $46.74 million. On average, each entrepreneur contributed $57,174 in revenue, demonstrating the powerful ripple effect that investing in small-scale entrepreneurship, financial capability, and community-based businesses can have on the local economy.

These results represent much more than numbers. They reflect the dedication of our staff, the trust of our community, and the tangible support that helps families move forward. Every workshop attended, every tax return filed, and every financial goal achieved is a step toward greater stability and opportunity.

As we celebrate Financial Capability Month, we extend our gratitude to our team, partners, and community members who make this work possible. Together, we are building pathways to financial empowerment and long-term success.

Help us spread the word and continue creating opportunities for the families we serve. Learn more about our economic empowerment programs here