Air conditioning. That’s at the top of the list of features Abbey Wilder wants in the house she hopes to purchase someday. For the past five summers, Wilder and her husband, Nicholas, and their two kids have sweated it out in their duplex, with nothing but two AC window units, because the rent is affordable on their modest income.

But the Wilders are working hard to see that next summer, they will be in their own home, one with blessedly cool central air. Using the information, tools and support they gained from the United Way of Douglas County’s Money Matters classes, they are paying off college loans, improving their credit scores so they can qualify for a home loan and putting money away for a down payment on their home.

Launched in 2013 as part of United Way’s Self Sufficiency goal, the Money Matters program is a series of four personal financial management classes offered free to people served by United Way partners Lawrence Community Shelter, Ballard Community Services, the Salvation Army and the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority. The classes, taught by Housing & Credit Counseling Inc., include budgeting and saving, credit reports, debt repayment and renter’s preparation.

Challenged by United Way to come up with more effective and efficient ways to help people experiencing homelessness or financial crisis move toward self sufficiency, the community partners teamed up to do the Money Matters classes together. Salvation Army hosts the class. Ballard Community Service provides free child care for class participants. And each agency brings clients to the class sessions.

“Before, every agency would call us independently for these classes, and we did the same class over and over again for two or three people,” said Anju Mishra, Lawrence branch manager for HCCI, who leads the classes. “When we got together and offered the Money Matters class, we increased efficiency, reduced duplication of services and brought these partners together to work toward the same goals.”

Since the program was launched in 2013, the class series has been delivered five times, and total attendance has reached 305. Demand has become so strong among clients of Lawrence Community Shelter and Ballard Community Services that now Money Matters, which is usually held twice a year, will now be offered every other month.

“Very few people learn this information at home or at school,” Mishra said. “If you make a bad financial decision, that is taboo to talk about.” But in the courses, participants are in a safe, supportive environment where they can gain the tools they need to take charge of their finances.

Participants are also encouraged to follow up with a private financial counseling session with Mishra. “It’s one on one, it’s their numbers, their situation,” she said. “We talk about their goals, their dreams, and work with that.”

After participating in the Money Matters class, Wilder worked with Mishra to develop a strategy to reach her goal of home ownership.

“I already have a lot of guilt and shame because I have bills I am unable to pay,” said Wilder, who works as the crisis intervention coordinator at ECKAN. “Some of these bills, it’s hard to see them. You put them away. You don’t want to deal with them. Anju helped me deal with them in a healthy manner.”

It’s only been nine months since Wilder attended Money Matters, and she is already well on her way to reaching her financial goals. She has bumped up her credit score 28 points. She is paying off debt while also saving for a down payment. And she’s adding to her wish list for her new home.

“It would be nice if each of the kids had their own room, and a garage or a shed because my husband is a mechanic and has a lot of tools, and some sort of yard for our dog. And, central air!”

To enroll, volunteer or get more information on the Money Matters program, contact Anju Mishra, Lawrence branch manager of Housing & Credit Counseling Inc., at amishra@hcci-ks.org.