Insiders Update: June 2026
As we head into summer, I am happy to share that we wrapped up a successful school year teaching our Youth Curriculum at a local area high school. We received great feedback and heard fun stories of family conversations that occurred due to what the students learned in finance class. We want more of those conversations to occur! Here is what some of the students said:
“I liked learning about getting ready for adult life.”
“Banking, student loans, saving and budgeting were the best!”
“The class on zero-based budgeting was great…I wish we could have had more time!”
“Budgeting and investing were my favorite!”
I am excited to let you know that we are also beginning to work within church communities to assist congregations in becoming more financially fit. In working with churches, we are able to apply our corporate model of moving people from crisis to stability. With the assistance of a generous donor, we will begin assisting members of their church with financial assistance when a crisis arises and will provide our Financial Wellness Basics course covering the basics of savings, budgeting, debt reduction, and credit. We will also offer Financial Coaching to members of the congregation. We are so looking forward to assisting church administrators with members in need and furthering our mission of financial empowerment for all—one person at a time!
From the Team
“After being on the Save First team for three months, I can confidently say that I love being a part of what’s happening here. Working with a group that’s truly passionate about what they do is inspiring and invigorating. Hearing stories of lives being changed and situations improving never gets old—my favorite thing is watching how excited my teammates get when sharing their “wins” with the rest of the group. We share what’s working well and what we need help with— collaboration is happening every day to make sure that our clients get the very best of us. We’re heading into some really exciting directions, and I am very much looking forward to being a part of the future of Save First!”
-Jessica Wyndham, Operations Coordinator
“One of the most rewarding parts of my role is speaking directly with clients who reach out for emergency assistance. Every call is different, and there are many unexpected hardships life can bring, such as medical issues, loss of loved ones, housing insecurity, and domestic violence situations. What stands out most are the resilience and vulnerability of the people we serve. While the financial assistance can provide immediate relief, the conversations often go beyond the application itself.
Clients are looking for guidance, resources, and a compassionate ear as reassurance that they are not facing these challenges alone. It is a privilege to help connect them with support and to see the impact these programs have on helping individuals and families regain stability and move forward with hope.”
-Amy Camarena, Coaching Coordinator
“As we prepare to launch our third Financial Wellness series with Germaine's Culinary at the end of June, I am excited and filled with gratitude to continue working with the amazing neurodiverse young adults who are a part of that community on their financial wellness journeys. For me, it has been an honor to partner with this program, which recognizes the unique strengths, talents, and perspectives each of these young people bring. Financial Wellness is not one-size-fits-all, and I am looking forward to continuing creating a learning environment that is supportive, engaging, and accessible to everyone.
I am also proud to celebrate the successful completion of our youth pilot program, where Rose, our Financial Educator, truly shined. It has been inspiring to see students engage in conversations about budgeting, saving, credit, and making informed financial decisions. These experiences remind us why this work matters. Whether we work with youth, adults, families, or community partners, our goal remains the same: to equip and empower individuals with the knowledge and tools to build financial stability and create brighter futures.”
-Cynthia Molina, Program Director
Save First on the Radio
Our Executive Director, Molly O’Donnell, was interviewed on KXRW Vancouver’s “The Greater Good” segment in May. Check out her interview about the work that we do here at Save First.
Take Action
If you love what we’re doing at Save First, there are many ways that you can help us grow and serve more people:
Do you know someone who could use some extra financial support and guidance? Refer them to us, and we will work to help them meet their financial goals.
Do you have a connection at a business, church, or organization that might be interested in providing the services of Save First to their employee/membership base? Make that connection by contacting molly@savefirstfinancial.org.
How about a school or community program? Making that connection can help us help the next generation.
If you would like to support our mission financially (all gifts are tax-deductible), click the button below.
Together, we can teach people across our region to save first and live well.