Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I graduated from Murray State in the summer of 2018 with a BS in Business Administration and a minor in Non-profit Leadership. My senior year I interned at the Murray Art Guild and knew from that point on I wanted to be a part of the Murray community even after college.
Over the past year we have had many accomplishments through financial mobility. We offered 9 different budgeting classes that serves 105 individuals from various populations in our community--from Murray State students all the way to senior citizens. We partnered with VITA (Voluntary Income Tax Assistance) at Murray State University to prepare returns for 167 people--almost double from last year. We grew new partnerships with organizations like the Public Library, The UK Cooperative Extension Office, and student groups on MSU Campus. These partnerships will allow us to more effectively reach our community with financial education. We have also began the process of adding more digital resources to our website for easier access for our community members!
As I enter this new position, I know that our main goal is trying to reach people and what platform we use is crucial in being successful with our
financial literacy program. During my time I want to expand our virtual presence, completely revamp our website. I envision a whole page just designated to financial literacy with incremental step by steps on how to manage money on the most basic level of understanding because if you're not a banker, and I'm certainly not, then the whole subject of finances is no walk in the park by any means. Another thing I would like to develop are more fundraisers for United Way, events that will be annual community events for years to come and help get our name and purpose to the community known. Something we're working on now is getting a mobilized computer cart that will be able to use in all of our financial literacy workshops. This will help in the hands-on experience of online banking which is how our money is being handled these days. These workshops will range from basic computer skills (to those who need it) to in depth, money managing through online banking which were excited to implement soon. I'm so blessed to be a part of this wonderful organization and hope to make an impact as I contribute my skills and talents. Great things to come!
Bri Stoebe
Financial Mobility Coordinator
United Way of Murray-Calloway County
