The inaugural graduating class of Budget Buddies, a nonprofit organization that provides low-income women with innovative financial training to help move them out of poverty, received their diplomas earlier this month at Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union's headquarters in Lowell, Mass.

The pilot program began in September with clients attending monthly workshops given by Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union on such subjects as budgeting, banking and credit. Volunteer coaches devoted hours each month to helping their buddies complete homework exercises, reinforcing the workshop materials and working on their six-month financial goals. The eight local women–clients from the Chelmsford Housing Authority and Lowell Transitional Living Center–said they were excited to have graduated with new financial skills and a path to a more secure future.

Members of Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union's community education department specially developed and presented the curriculum for the workshop component of Budget Buddies.