Community: Glendale YWCA clients given short finance course

The YWCA of Glendale recently honored the first graduating class in the Pathways financial literacy program sponsored by Sen. Carol Liu.

Joyce Roys Aguilera, the senator’s district representative, adapted the program to be used by clients in the YWCA’s domestic violence program. The eight-week course ran from May to July and included guest speakers.

“Joyce and Sen. Liu’s staff have been extremely accommodating and inspiring to our clients,” said Lisa Raggio, senior director of community services, development and communications. “We hope this is the first of many successful financial literacy programs for our client population.”

The program was launched this past spring for the first time after Liu decided to sponsor the first financial literacy Facebook campaign fundraiser in last October.

October is considered Domestic Violence Awareness Month and each year the YWCA Glendale collaborates with the city’s Commission on the Status of Women to honor victims and survivors of domestic violence.

The YWCA clients were treated to a reception where volunteer hair and make-up artists showed the women how to dress for a job interview. The family of the late Linda Malmquist donated business apparel in her memory.

Some of the business ensembles were donated to the clients and the remaining items will go into a workforce wardrobe for future clients. Betty Porto provided refreshments for the graduation reception.

The next financial literacy program will be offered to local female veterans in the fall.

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JOYCE RUDOLPH can be contacted at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.