Prosperity Center sets goals for 2008

MOSES LAKE - More clients, more volunteers and a new location are some of the Prosperity Center's goals for 2008.

The center, located at North Columbia Community Action Council in Moses Lake, is aimed at keeping people out of poverty.

Director Candi Allison said the center would like to see more clients using the organization's free services. Grant, Adams and Lincoln counties are served by the center.

"Everything's free," she said. "We target low income, but you don't have to be low income to get any of the services."

The center provides information on Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, helps host free tax clinics, hosts financial literacy classes and first-time home buyer classes, and offers individual savings accounts to help people build assets.

Savings accounts are matched with federal and state dollars. If a low-income participant puts a dollar into the savings account, another dollar is added to the account. The money can be used for education, opening a business or buying a home.

In addition, the center helps people with their budgeting.

"We (also) help people with their credit - establishing credit or repairing their credit," Allison said.

A goal for 2008 is to increase the number of clients from Adams and Lincoln counties who use the services. Another goal is to increase the amount of donations coming in from the community. With community donations, the center can apply for matching funds from the federal government, Allison said.

"We really would like to see more clientele, and we're hoping to move out of North Columbia Community Action Council into our own space," she said.

Accounting students at Big Bend Community College are going to be targeted as the center seeks volunteers to help with free tax clinics.

"We'd like to get more clientele through the door, and anyone that needs assistance, they can feel free to call us," she said.

For more information, call 509-765-9206, ext. 240 or ext. 250.