Every month, we feature a United Way Partner Agency’s client experience, demonstrating the impact that donations to United Way of Sheboygan County are making. This month’s client experience was submitted directly by Wayne Griesbach, executive director at Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS), a division of Family Service Association of Sheboygan, as part of their annual application for Budget and Credit Counseling program funding.

In 2012, Amy* and her husband had both lost their jobs and had no savings. “We financed our life style on credit cards for a long time, until we were able to get employed again. We racked up $42,000.00 in credit card debt. We were depressed and frantic with the amount of this debt. It started to put a big strain on our marriage. We began bickering over everything. It started to affect every aspect of our lives. It was only until we came into Consumer Credit Counseling, that we had new hope. They were very friendly and courteous and didn’t treat us like losers. They were able to show us, by making a few changes in the way we budget our personal finances, we could again stabilize our situation. When we left the office that day, I felt like a 10,000-pound weight was lifted off of our back. Finally, in 2015, we made our last payment and we NOW HAVE NO CREDIT CARD DEBT. Consumer Credit Counseling, followed up with us regularly, continuing to encourage us and to trouble shoot snags that we encountered. I am so thankful for their services.”

Consumers who call CCCS are given access to a confidential, non-judgmental consultation with a certified counselor. This counseling session takes 45 to 90 minutes, and involves a comprehensive review of one’s debt and personal finances. The counselor offers expert advice along with a workable budget based on the client’s unique financial situation. By tailoring advice to the client’s circumstances, clients receive a realistic plan for paying down debt, increasing savings, and improving the client’s financial situation.

Because the counseling session is free of charge and carries no obligation, any consumer with financial concerns or mounting debt to take advantage of this nonprofit community service. United Way believes financial stability is a building block for a stronger, healthier community.

*Name changed to protect client confidentiality

United Way of Sheboygan County, Inc.
Column for Tuesday, October 25^th 2016
Written by Laura Schwartzburg