If you are a refugee, asylee, or immigrant, you know you already have skills in managing money. But how do you use those skills in the United States? Who can you trust about how to manage money, start a business, buy a house, or build your credit and savings in this country?
Come join our Community Ambassadors for a house party or an interpreted class. Meet others who speak your language, understand your history, and share your goals for a safe and prosperous life in the future. The Community Ambassadors can also support you in meetings with the financial coaches or business development counselors on our team.
Our Community Ambassadors are members from several New American communities trained and employed by CVOEO in financial education. They provide interpretation for one-on-one financial coaching appointments, business development counseling appointments, culturally responsive classes on credit, banking, and saving, and facilitate financial house parties.
Lean more about our Community Ambassadors here!
To connect with a Community Ambassador, call and leave a message for Shiferaw Gemeda, the Financial Empowerment for New Americans Program Manager with your name, number, and language: (802)860-1417 x 117
In a Financial House Party, you meet with 3 other community members who speak the same language as you and the Community Ambassador who speaks your language as well. You meet together as a group four times. As a group, you take turns hosting the meeting at your house. When it’s your turn to host, you choose the topic to discuss that night. Topics have included bank accounts and ATM cards, building credit, budgeting, developing businesses, buying cars, buying homes, and more.
You can take classes about bank accounts, credit, saving, and budgeting in Somali, MaiMai, Swahili, Nepali, Arabic, French, and Spanish. Call us at (802) 860-1417 x117 to learn more.
Translated resources and videos coming soon.
All services are free to those who meet our income eligibility qualifications (must make less than number indicated on chart for your household size to qualify for free services). See the chart below for program specific requirements:
Hotline for New Americans: (802) 860-1417 x117
You can call our hotline for help with the Vermont Renters Assistance Program (VERAP) applications, and to learn how to get help with food, housing, renters’ rights, and more. Leave a message at (802) 860-1417 x117 with your name, language, and question and a Community Ambassador will call you back within two days. Our Community Ambassadors can help you in Somali, MaiMai, Swahili, Nepali, Arabic, French, and Spanish.
Contact Information

Shiferaw Gemeda
Program Manager,
Financial Empowerment for New Americans Program
sgemeda@cvoeo.org
802-860-1417 x 117