Education & Workshops

Knowledge Is Power

Our workshops and seminars give you the information you need to take control of your finances. Experienced, qualified credit counselors present hands-on training at our agency, in schools, and at area businesses.

Center For Siouxland’s Certified Consumer Credit Counselors offer a range of financial literacy workshops. We use well-established curriculum that are top standards for the industry. We also can create customized seminars to meet the individual needs of schools, area employers, and others.

Pre-Purchase Group Education

Pre-purchase Workshop Courses are scheduled once a month January through November.  Classes are taught by a certified housing counselor and are FREE thanks to a donation by Availa Bank.

2021 Pre-Purchase Workshop Dates are:

• January: Friday, 1/15/21
• February: Friday, 2/19/21
• March: Friday, 3/19/21
• April: Friday, 4/23/21
• May: Friday, 5/21/21
• June: Friday, 6/18/21
• July: Friday, 7/16/21
• August: Friday, 8/13/21
• September: Friday, 9/24/21
• October: Friday, 10/15/21
• November: Friday, 11/12/21
• December: No Class

All workshops run 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Due to COVID-19 courses are being held online utilizing Zoom.  Registration is required.  Please contact our office at 712-252-1861 ext. 47 for more information or to register.  Please try to register at least one week in advance.

The Pre-Purchase Group Education class prepares first time homebuyers for the process of buying a home and to avoid possible pit-falls.

Topics Include:

• Budgeting for the purchase of your home
• Getting credit ready to purchase a home
• Shopping for your home and your loan
• Applying for a mortgage
• Purchasing your home

MyPad Down Payment Assistance Program

The City of Sioux City Neighborhood Services Division offers the MyPad Down Payment Assistance Program.  The purpose of the program is to assist low-income households ready to enter homeownership by providing part or all of their down payment and closing costs.  Qualified households can receive between $1,000-$14,999, depending upon their circumstances. Additional information can be obtained by visiting www.siouxcitymypad.com or calling 712-279-6255.

The following workshops are offered to area businesses for their employees:

Workplace Education

We go on-site for employers to provide financial education to their employees. Financial education seminars can be customized to fit the needs of your employees and flexible scheduling allows education to occur during lunch hours, between shifts, and at employee benefit fairs.

Stress from personal money problems can spill over into the workplace. Research indicates that one-third of US workers believe their finances have hampered their job performance. Of these employees, nearly half spend at least seven work hours a week dealing with their personal money matters.

Some common signs that an employee is financially distressed include:

• Absenteeism
• Verbal or physical confrontations in the workplace
• Garnishments or wage advancements
• Low participation in 401(k) and other retirement plans
• Borrowing against retirement plans

Successful Budgeting & Managing Your Credit

This workshop is designed for individuals and couples who have had a sudden change in their income. This workshop covers topics such as: shopping for credit, what to do if you cannot pay your bills, budgeting, and credit reports.

Predatory Lending

This workshop outlines predatory lending practices and how to not fall prey to predatory lenders. Topics covered include: consolidation loans, mortgage loans, rent to own services, pay day loans, credit cards, and title loans.