Opportunity
is On The Rise
in Atlanta
Vine City. A historic neighborhood tucked behind
downtown Atlanta. Rich in history, the community is at the
center of ongoing urban development. This neighborhood,
like so many others around the world, is in the midst of
transformation. Some of this growth comes at the expense
of the people who live there - many of whom struggle to
keep up with the ever-rising costs of basic needs as the cost
of living increases.
But the people and community of Vine City are resilient, and nonprofit organizations, city leaders and local businesses have come together with resources that help financially empower residents.
Shelina Dottery
On The Rise Financial Coach
One of the individuals working to bring the
people of Vine City the tools they need for
financial capability is Shelina Dottery. She’s a
financial coach at the Atlanta nonprofit On The
Rise Community Development Center. Located
in the heart of Vine City, On The Rise educates
clients about personal finance management
skills and guides the community toward
financial sustainability.
The organization has a number of resources it
uses to improve financial wellness – including:
•
•
•
•
A fee-free ATM
Customized spending plans
One-on-one financial coaching
Educational workshops and mentorship on topics ranging from credit building and repair, to budgeting, savings, and home ownership
The Center focuses on looking at the whole picture: the individual, the community, and the systemic challenges they face. Building a pathway to financial prosperity requires unique solutions, education, and guidance with a focus on creating individual financial capability. These efforts help individuals chart their own course towards a successful future with the goal of breaking the cycle of generational poverty.
We have been a proud partner and sponsor of On The Rise since its inception in 2017. Equifax Chief Financial Officer John Gamble serves as Chairman
of the organization’s board and is passionate
about the impact the Center makes on the local community. We further support the Center
through hands-on employee volunteerism and a Matching Gift program that matches employee donations dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000 annually, per employee.
Shelina and her colleagues at On The Rise connect clients
to additional community resources – including career coaching, training, accelerator programs, housing
assistance, and more – with the purpose of building
financial prosperity, generating individual wealth, and enabling community self-sustainability.
People are frustrated because they’re working hard, saving their money, but aren’t educated on how to use credit to strengthen their financial situation.
The work of On The Rise has a tremendous impact on the Vine City community. In 2022, one third of clients deemed credit invisible when they began the program, became visible within a year. And 70% of clients improved their credit score in that same timeframe.
Shelina, her colleagues, and the work they do in Vine City is a great example that other communities can follow to address barriers that prevent access to financial opportunity.
This process is slow and steady - but with the right support, strides are being made to open the door for greater financial inclusion.
I’m passionate about my work. I
want the people in my
community to have the best
possible chance at accessing
financial opportunity.
Equifax is a proud, founding member of the On The Rise Community Development Center and has been actively involved in its mission since 2017. The Equifax Foundation partners with organizations in the communities where we live and work to help them achieve the credit strength needed to live their financial best.
Learn more about On The Rise Financial Center
Explore some of the additional ways Equifax is helping to empower financial opportunity
Financial inclusion means people have the tools and resources available to live a successful life - one with opportunity, satisfaction, and meaning.
Opportunity
is On The Rise
in Atlanta
Vine City. A historic neighborhood tucked
behind downtown Atlanta. Rich in history,
the community is at the center of
ongoing urban development. This
neighborhood, like so many others
around the world, is in the midst of
transformation. Some of this growth
comes at the expense of the people who
live there - many of whom struggle to
keep up with the ever-rising costs of basic
needs as the cost of living increases.
But the people and community of Vine City are resilient, and nonprofit organizations, city leaders and local businesses have come together with resources that help financially empower residents.
Shelina Dottery
On The Rise Financial Coach
One of the individuals working to bring the people of Vine City the tools they need for financial capability is Shelina Dottery. She’s a financial coach at the Atlanta nonprofit On The Rise Community Development Center. Located in the heart of Vine City, On The Rise educates clients about personal finance management skills and guides the community toward financial sustainability.
Financial inclusion means people have the tools and resources available to live a successful life -
one with opportunity,
satisfaction, and meaning.
The organization has a number of resources it uses to improve financial wellness – including:
•
•
•
•
A fee-free ATM
Customized spending plans
One-on-one financial coaching
Educational workshops and mentorship on topics ranging from credit building and repair, to budgeting, savings, and home ownership
The Center focuses on looking at the whole picture: the individual, the community, and the systemic challenges they face. Building a pathway to financial prosperity requires unique solutions, education, and guidance with a focus on creating individual financial capability. These efforts help individuals chart their own course towards a successful future with the goal of breaking the cycle of generational poverty.
We have been a proud partner and sponsor of On The Rise since its inception in 2017. Equifax Chief Financial Officer John Gamble serves as Chairman of the organization’s board and is passionate about the impact the Center makes on the local community. We further support the Center through hands-on employee volunteerism and a Matching Gift program that matches employee donations dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000 annually, per employee.
Shelina and her colleagues at On The Rise connect clients to additional community resources – including career coaching, training, accelerator programs, housing assistance, and more – with the purpose of building financial prosperity, generating individual wealth, and enabling community self-sustainability.
People are frustrated because they’re working hard, saving their money, but aren’t educated on how to use credit to strengthen their financial situation.
The work of On The Rise has a tremendous impact on the Vine City community. In 2022, one third of clients deemed credit invisible when they began the program, became visible within a year. And 70% of clients improved their credit score in that same timeframe.
Shelina, her colleagues, and the work they do in Vine City is a great example that other communities can follow to address barriers that prevent access to financial opportunity.
This process is slow and steady - but with the right support, strides are being made to open the door for greater financial inclusion.
I’m passionate about my work. I want the people in my community to have the best possible chance at accessing financial opportunity.
Equifax is a proud, founding member of the On The Rise Community Development Center and has been actively involved in its mission since 2017. The Equifax Foundation partners with organizations in the communities where we live and work to help them achieve the credit strength needed to live their financial best.
Learn more about On The Rise
Financial Center
Explore some of the additional ways Equifax is helping to empower financial opportunity
