The Network proudly celebrates Jewish Family Services (JFS) Columbus and its Financial Empowerment Center (FEC), which has been named the 2025 Financial Counseling and/or Planning Center of the Year by the Association of Financial Counseling, Planning and Education (AFCPE). Learn more about the award here.

This distinguished honor recognizes financial counseling and planning centers that demonstrate exceptional impact in their communities. As AFCPE notes:

“This award goes to a financial counseling or planning center that has demonstrated its effectiveness in its local community. The center is responsive to target audience needs and provides materials and delivery of services that are in tune with its audience. The evidence of its impact is widespread, and other centers can learn from or adapt this program to effectively support clients.”

About the Columbus FEC

Launched in May 2022, the Columbus FEC operates out of JFS Columbus and is funded and supported by the City of Columbus. In just three years, the program has:

• Helped clients save more than $1.1 million

• Assisted in reducing client debt by over $3.3 million

• Served 1,057 clients through nearly 3,400 financial counseling sessions

• Expanded access by offering services at six sites across Columbus, as well as virtually and by phone

The Columbus FEC is one of approximately 36 active Financial Empowerment Centers nationwide, making its measurable success a model for communities across the country.

Contact

For more information, please contact:
Justin DeBrosse
Email: jdebrosse@jfscolumbus.org