The May 21st Virtual Transform Westside Summit highlighted On The Rise Financial Center (OTRFC), a beacon of financial literacy and economic growth offering free financial coaching services to residents of Atlanta’s Historic Westside. Moderated by English Avenue resident, Ebony Ford, the featured panel discussion included: Olivia Maxwell, Executive Director, OTRFC; and clients Tangela Nash and Byron Amos.

Olivia Maxwell summarized the financial services OTRFC offers to Westside residents—from help building credit, to financial planning, to homeownership readiness programs and beyond. Maxwell emphasized that OTRFC helps clients through “individualized financial services.” In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization has committed to continuing offering services in a hybrid fashion of virtual and in person sessions.

This is the truest opportunity in my view,” said Maxwell, “to be able to really take what we see in society and take the opportunity now to really help people flourish and move into their financial best place.”

Tangela Nash, a small business owner and Westside resident, utilized OTRFC’s entrepreneur coaching services to launch her food business, Spud Baby Food Truck. Nash shared how her five year relationship with OTRFC helped her develop the business savvy to tap into her full potential as an entrepreneur, and she strongly encouraged other Westsiders to follow suit.

Spud Baby’s Delicious Spuds

Byron Amos, another OTRFC success story, had for years been an advocate of the organization before eventually taking advantage of its services himself.

Motivated by his wife’s desire to remodel their home, Amos sought a home equity loan but was denied. In seeking help from OTRFC, he learned how to build better habits of paying down credit card debt and addressing old collection issues, and he saw his credit score increase 125 points over the course of six months.

While offering services to all of the general public, OTRFC is committed to building financial security for the residents of Atlanta’s 30314 and 30318 zip codes through quality counseling and coaching, access to affordable products and services, as well as alignment with collaborative partnerships to enable a vibrant and sustainable community. Learn more here.