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Charting safe financial waters

Catholic Charities of the Green Bay Diocese has increased services to individuals or families who are in debt.

The agency's new "Service Adjustment License," from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, means its budget counselors can contact creditors to develop a repayment plan for clients seeking to solve debt problems.

Catholic Charities is the only agency based in the Green Bay area with such a license, said Bobbie Lison, a Catholic Charities' budget counselor. "And debt management is a valued service to those seeking to resolve debt issues."

Obtaining the license is a milestone for Catholic Charities which for the past 12 years has helped clients resolve credit problems. Previously, an outside entity held the license.

"Securing our own license now will permit us to continue the long-standing services we have provided," Lison said.

In addition to credit counseling, Catholic Charities can help people create a household budget or handle crisis situations. Clients list their income and expenses, and work with a budget counselor to see how they spend money, how it needs to be spent and how to save money, Lison said.

"Last year, our Green Bay budget counseling clients carried a combined debt of $996,706," Lison said. "But we were able to help families and individuals get their spending under control."

In 2002, Lison and her colleagues - Meg Hemery, Susan Ruck and John Miller - saw 418 new clients, 108 of whom were eligible for debt management services.

The counselors also hosted 72 informational sessions and 16 presentations on budgeting, attended by 733 people.

Budget counseling is free. The debt management service has an initial $25 fee and a small monthly fee for processing payments. Both services are available at the Appleton, Green Bay, Manitowoc and Marinette offices.

To make an appointment, call Catholic Charities in Appleton, (920)734-2601; Green Bay, (920)437-7531; Manitowoc, (920)684-6651; or Marinette, (715)735-7802.

Catholic Charities serves the general public, regardless of faith or income, at five offices in northeast Wisconsin. It offers adoption services, pregnancy services, Hispanic outreach, emergency living assistance, immigration, and mental health counseling. Fees are based on clients' ability to pay. Catholic Charities is funded by the Bishop's Appeal, United Way, client fees, and state and federal grants.