Financial hardship is a reality many marginalized communities face every day. For many families, especially within Black and Hispanic populations, making ends meet isn’t just a temporary challenge — it’s a long-standing barrier shaped by history, inequality, and limited access to resources.

At Together We’re Achieving (TWA), we’ve made it our mission to change that. Our programs are designed not just to educate but to empower — giving people the tools to overcome financial obstacles and build lasting wealth.

Here are five common financial struggles we see — and exactly how TWA is helping solve them.

1. Lack of Financial Education

The Struggle:
Many people grow up never learning how to manage money. Concepts like budgeting, saving, or credit scores are often absent from school curricula — especially in under-resourced districts. This leaves individuals unprepared to make smart financial decisions in adulthood.

TWA’s Solution:
We provide free, year-round financial literacy courses that cover the fundamentals — from creating a budget to understanding credit and investing. Our curriculum is hands-on, practical, and designed for real-life application. Whether someone is 16 or 60, there’s always time to learn.

2. Poor Credit & Limited Access to Affordable Loans

The Struggle:
A low credit score can hold someone back from renting a home, getting a job, or qualifying for a loan. Unfortunately, many people in marginalized communities fall into credit trouble due to medical debt, predatory loans, or simply not understanding how credit works. Once stuck in the cycle, it’s hard to get out.

TWA’s Solution:
We offer integrated credit repair services alongside our education programs. Participants learn how to read and understand their credit reports, dispute errors, and build healthy credit habits. Our team works with them to create a custom credit improvement plan — not just talk, but real, step-by-step support.

3. Living Paycheck to Paycheck

The Struggle:
Too many families have no financial cushion. A sudden car repair or medical emergency can spiral into debt. Without emergency savings, even small financial shocks become crises. And when most of your income goes to basic needs — housing, food, transportation — saving feels impossible.

TWA’s Solution:
Our training includes emergency fund planning and budgeting workshops that show participants how to save, even in tight financial situations. We use real-world case studies to help them build simple, sustainable strategies that create breathing room and reduce stress.

4. Predatory Financial Services

The Struggle:
Payday lenders, check-cashing services, and rent-to-own stores often target underserved communities. These services may seem convenient, but they charge exorbitant fees and interest rates that trap users in debt. A loan meant to help ends up hurting long-term.

TWA’s Solution:
We educate our participants on safe, affordable alternatives and teach them how to spot red flags. From choosing a trustworthy bank to avoiding loan traps, our workshops provide the tools people need to protect themselves. We also partner with ethical financial institutions to connect participants to better options.

5. Cultural & Systemic Barriers

The Struggle:
Many financial habits — both good and bad — are passed down through generations. For example, in some Hispanic families, sending money abroad (remittances) is a priority, even at the expense of savings. And systemic issues like discriminatory lending practices continue to affect communities of color disproportionately.

TWA’s Solution:
We take a community-centric approach to financial education. That means we don’t just teach “one-size-fits-all” solutions — we listen first. Our facilitators understand cultural nuances and help participants create financial plans that honor their values while still promoting long-term stability.

Why These Struggles Matter

These aren’t just individual problems — they have ripple effects across families, communities, and future generations. Financial stress affects mental health, education, job stability, and even physical well-being.

But the good news? Financial literacy is powerful. When people learn how to manage money, make informed decisions, and plan ahead, the impact is transformative.

We’ve seen participants go from overwhelmed to confident. We’ve watched families set up their first savings accounts. We’ve helped entrepreneurs get their credit in shape to qualify for business loans.

These changes might seem small at first — but over time, they build something bigger: generational change.

How You Can Help Make a Difference

If you’re part of the community:
➡️ [Join a Program] — It’s free, flexible, and life-changing.

If you’re a community leader or educator:
➡️ [Partner With Us] — Let’s bring financial literacy into your space.

If you’re a supporter or donor:
➡️ [Support Our Mission] — Every contribution helps us reach more people, offer more services, and expand our impact.

Final Thoughts

At TWA, we don’t believe in temporary fixes. We believe in long-term empowerment.

Breaking financial cycles starts with education, continues with support, and grows through community.

If we want stronger families, better opportunities, and more stable neighborhoods, we must start with the basics — and that begins with financial literacy.

Let’s build that future together.