MVES receives grant from Savings Bank for Money Management

The Savings Bank, headquartered in Wakefield, Massachusetts, recently honored MVES' Money Management Program with a $3,000 grant. The grant will help the expanding Money Management Program support a program coordinator to recruit new volunteers.

The MVES Money Management Program is a practical, economic solution that helps low-income elders with budgeting, paying routine bills, and keeping track of financial matters. Trained and insured volunteers are matched with local elders and make monthly visits to assist with opening the mail, writing checks for the elders to sign, developing and managing a budget, and balancing checkbooks. The program helps elders meet their financial obligations and remain safe and independent in their own homes.

MVES currently provides money management volunteer support to about 30 older adults. There is a waiting list of 22 older adults who can be helped when more volunteers are available.

To expand the program to service the waiting list, a dedicated a Money Management program coordinator, Bob Martin, has been hired. Bob handles volunteer recruitment and training, maintains contact with volunteers and program participants, provides program oversight, and conducts outreach activities.

The TSB Charitable Foundation, part of the Savings Bank, recognized the need for expanding the Money Management Program in Wakefield and surrounding communities. Their grant to MVES was one of several that were recently presented at a ceremony at the Wakefield branch.