United Way highlights Financial Empowerment Center; council proclaims April 2025 Financial Literacy Month

United Way Northwest Louisiana briefed the Shreveport City Council on the work of its Financial Empowerment Center during the April 8, 2025, meeting; the council then adopted Resolution 58 recognizing April 2025 as Financial Literacy Month in Shreveport.

Florence Jackson, identified in the presentation as director of the Financial Empowerment Center, said the center has helped 925 clients since 2020, reporting an aggregate debt reduction of $3,000,000 and aggregate savings increases of roughly $1,100,000. Jackson offered a client example—Jatina Ladson—who, Jackson said, increased her credit score by more than 100 points, reduced nonmortgage debt by over $10,000 and saved more than $10,000, enabling a first-time home purchase without an increase in income.

“We provide free professional 1-on-1 counseling,” Jackson said, emphasizing that services are confidential and available regardless of income. United Way asked the council to share referral information and continue to champion financial-literacy efforts; the council moved and passed a resolution recognizing the month and encouraging residents, schools, businesses and organizations to support financial empowerment resources.

Resolution 58’s text, read into the record, cites the national recognition of Financial Literacy Month and specifically references United Way’s Shreveport Financial Empowerment Center and the Bank of Northwest Louisiana as partners. The resolution was moved by Councilman Gary Green, seconded by Councilman Gary Butcher, and adopted by the council.

The council did not appropriate new funds in the transcript for the Financial Empowerment Center; the presentation noted that the city is a partner and a major funder of the center’s work. United Way directed residents to the organization’s website and encouraged council members to refer constituents to the free coaching services.