Helpful Resources
General Education Development (GED) Readiness
Evergreen Goodwill – GED Test Prep / High School Diploma+
https://evergreengoodwill.org/job-training-and-education/adult-basic-education/high-school-completion
Olympic College – GED Test Prep / High School Diploma+ https://www.olympic.edu/academics/transitional-studies
Kitsap Community Resources – GED Test Prep https://www.kcr.org/employment-assistance/
South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency – Workforce Development assists tribal members with GED completion https://spipa.org/workforce-development/
Higher Education
Western Washington University Poulsbo – Degrees in Business Administration, Cybersecurity, Environmental Studies https://www.wwu.edu/poulsbo
Western Washington University Bremerton – Degrees in Early Childhood Education https://www.wwu.edu/bremerton
Olympic College – Associate and Bachelor degrees across a variety of programs https://www.olympic.edu/academics/academic-pathways
Northwest Indian College Port Gamble S’Klallam – Associate in Early Childhood Education and Bachelor degrees in Tribal Governance, Native Studies, and Native Environmental Science https://www.nwic.edu/
Education Financial Aid
Washington Student Achievement Council – Introduction to Financial Aid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHTrctUfGjg
Graduate Strong – Scholarships 101 and A-Z of Financial Aid https://www.graduatestrong.org/future-bound-workgroup
Job Training / Employment Resources
Evergreen Goodwill – Computer basics, resume writing and interview practice https://evergreengoodwill.org/job-training-and-education
Worksource Kitsap – Hiring events and resume/interview workshops https://seeker.worksourcewa.com/
Sound Works Job Center – Help to prepare for and find meaningful employment including interview training and writing professional resumes. https://userwebs.donobi.net/soundworks/
Business Start Up Training
Business Education Support & Training (BE$T) – 8-week business basics program https://www.kcr.org/business-education/
Northwest Business Training Center – Business Bootcamp
https://northwestbusinesstrainingcenter.com/
Matchstick Lab Micro Business Accelerator – Support for startup founders and small business owners who are ready to take their business to the next level
https://vibecoworks.com/2024-cohort/
Apprenticeships
Olympic College – Learn more about the Associate Controls Specialist Apprenticeship and Industrial Trades Technician Apprenticeship https://www.olympic.edu/academics/academic-pathways/manufacturing-trades
Kitsap Building Association – Builder Grant Program provides anyone between the ages of 18- 25 paid fulltime six-week internships teamed up with a trade mentor in the home construction industry focusing on carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, painting & coatings https://www.kitsapbuilds.com/builder-grant-program/
Northwest Laborers Employers Training Trust – Paid on-the-job training and supplemental classroom training along with free housing and meals https://www.nwlett.edu/about-us/apprenticeship/
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries – Find an apprenticeship program by county. https://secure.lni.wa.gov/arts-public/#/training-agents
Public Benefits
Department of Social and Health Services – Food and cash assistance https://www.dshs.wa.gov/food-cash-medical
Washington Connection – Prescreening and application to see what programs or services you or your family may be qualified to receive https://www.washingtonconnection.org/
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation – Assists people with disabilities to prepare for, secure, maintain, advance in, or regain employment https://www.dshs.wa.gov/location/dshs-dvr-bremerton
Tax Credits
Working Families Tax Credit – A Washington State tax credit from the Department of Revenue https://workingfamiliescredit.wa.gov/
Earned Income Tax Credit – A Federal tax credit from the Internal Revenue Service https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit-eitc
Retirement Savings Contributions Credit – A Federal tax credit to promote saving for retirement https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-savings-contributions-savers-credit
Savings & Loan Products
American Financial Solutions – Save2Build loans for $300 which go into a locked savings account and are repaid over 12 months https://www.myfinancialgoals.org/
Self Credit Builder Loan – Small dollar loan given after payments have been made https://www.self.inc/credit-builder-loan
Kitsap Credit Union Share Secure Loan – Low interest loan using funds pledged from your savings https://www.kitsapcu.org/personal-line-credit.html
Peninsula Credit Union – PayDay Alternative loan https://www.pcfcu.org/emergency-funds/
Credit Card Products
Navy Federal Credit Union – Secured credit card backed by your savings https://www.navyfederal.org/loans-cards/credit-cards/nrewards-secured.html
Peninsula Credit Union – Shared secured card to establish or repair damaged credit, and is secured by your own funds https://www.pcfcu.org/credit-cards/
Connection Credit Union – Low rate unsecured credit card https://www.connectioncu.org/visa-cards/
Home Ownership
Washington State Housing Finance Commission – Home buying classes offered locally in person and virtually https://www.wshfc.org/buyers/education.htm
Habitat for Humanity – Build and own an affordable home https://kitsaphabitat.org/what-we-do/homeownership/
Housing Kitsap Mutual Self Help – Build and own an affordable home https://www.housingkitsap.org/becoming-a-homeowner
Community Frameworks – Down Payment Assistance, Homebuyer Education, Pre-Purchase Counseling, and Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program https://communityframeworks.org/homeownership-in-kitsap-county/
Business Development
Small Business Development Center – Discover opportunities, overcome roadblocks, improve operations, or scale-up with local business advisors https://sbdc.wwu.edu/kitsap-sbdc
Kitsap Economic Development Alliance – Resource hub and Apex Accelerator program connecting business owners to government bidding and subcontracting opportunities https://www.kitsapeda.org/
Business Loans
Kitsap Credit Union – Business loans and lines of credit https://www.kitsapcu.org/business-line-of-credit.html
Kitsap Bank – SBA small business loans https://www.kitsapbank.com/business/business-loans/sba-loans/
Income Preservation
Paid Family and Medical Leave – Up to 12 weeks paid time off for you or to care for a family member https://paidleave.wa.gov/
Disability Insurance – Supplemental insurance coverage for short-term and long-term disability pays a percentage of wages if unable to work for a period of time due to sickness or injury https://www.growingfamilybenefits.com/
Asset Preservation
Renters Insurance – A renters policy can provide protection for your furniture and personal possessions against losses such as fire, vandalism, and theft https://www.insurance.wa.gov/how-renter-insurance-works
Homeowners Insurance – Protects your home and personal belongings from damage caused by various perils and covers repairs https://www.insurance.wa.gov/home-insurance
Health Insurance
Peninsula Community Health Services – Enrollment navigators for Washington Health Plan Finder https://www.pchsweb.org/
Molina Healthcare Apple Health (Medicaid) – Free or low-cost health care https://www.molinahealthcare.com/
Consumer Protection
Kitsap Legal Services – Help with consumer fraud including advice on credit card and medical debt https://kitsaplegalservices.org/
Office of the Attorney General – Safeguards consumers from fraud and unfair business practices https://www.atg.wa.gov/safeguarding-consumers
Foreclosure Prevention
American Financial Solutions – No cost foreclosure counseling by HUD-certified counselors https://www.myfinancialgoals.org/foreclosure-counseling
Washington Homeowner Assistance Fund – Housing counselors available via the Homeownership Hotline at 1-877‐894‐4663 https://washingtonhaf.org/
Financial Empowerment
Everyone wants a chance to live up to their potential. We want the opportunity to break through barriers, conquer challenges and make our lives, our families’ lives and our communities better because of our effort.
When you are financially empowered, you are both informed and skilled. You know where to get help with your financial challenges and can access and choose financial products and services that meet your needs. This sense of empowerment can build confidence that you can effectively use your financial knowledge, skills, and resources to reach your goals.
The role of the Asset Building Coalition is to coordinate and expand the effort to increase financial literacy, assets, net worth and financial stability for Kitsap residents.
We envision a strong community where hardworking Kitsap County residents have access to the financial tools and incentives they need to achieve their dreams.
Our Focus
We partner with other organizations who share the Coalition’s mission and provide resources and training in the following areas:
Conduct free financial education classes for Kitsap County residents
Outreach unbanked and underbanked community residents
Help obtain free credit reports and credit counseling assistance
Assist with finding home ownership education and resources
Opportunities to learn about starting or growing a business
Connect to resources for job skills and career readiness training programs
Educate on free tax preparation assistance and tax credits
Educational support and resources for underserved low income students
Financial Education Workshops and Classes
Attend a small group workshop or class on a variety of topics including budgeting, credit, banking, planning for financial uncertainty and hardships.
The Asset Building Coalition of Kitsap coordinates county wide workshops and classes that are intended to be flexible and convenient. Classes are arranged at local libraries, community centers, parents groups, schools, housing sites, and even staff training events. We aim to serve all of Kitsap County including Kingston, Poulsbo, Suquamish, Bainbridge Island, Silverdale, Bremerton, Port Orchard, and surrounding areas. All workshops and classes are led by knowledgeable professionals in Kitsap County who are Asset Building Coalition members.
Contact us if your organization would like to host a financial education program facilitated by the Asset Building Coalition at your location.