Volunteers from Fifth Third Bank got on board Monday with a weeklong program of financial guidance and counseling for residents of northwest Ohio that provided free services to the community through the bank’s Financial Empowerment Mobile, or “eBus” for short.
Despite gray clouds and heavy rain, a steady stream of people passed through the bus, ready to take full advantage of the services offered. The bus was parked outside the Lucas County offices of Ohio Department of Job and Family Services at 3210 Monroe St.
Fifth Third employees directed people to the correct stations, sharing smiles and greetings with the visitors.
“We have people from all different areas of the bank working here,” said Melissa Overton, vice president of Community and Economic Development with Fifth Third. “They are all volunteers and ready to help.”
The interior of the 40-foot city bus was filled not with seats, but with Internet-accessible computer workstations and tables for personal-guidance sessions. Services offered included credit reports, one-on-one financial counseling, job coaching, health screenings, and veterans’ programs in partnership with Toledo Community Foundation.
Fifth Third is providing all of the services throughout the week at no charge.
The “NextJob” initiative returned for another year as part of the eBus’ services. “NextJob” is offering help on resumes, cover letters, interviews, networking, and other related topics. The Lucas County center of OhioMeans-Jobs began working with the eBus on Monday and will do so through Wednesday. It assists job-seekers searching for local employment opportunities.
This is the 11th year of operation for the eBus, Ms. Overton said.
The bus travels year-round and visits 12 states overall seeking to address the immediate needs of underserved populations.
“Our mission is to travel across all our markets providing education and resources to the communities,” Ms. Overton said. “We accomplish that mission when we see dreams of owning homes, finding jobs, or improving the general quality of life achieved.”
The eBus will be open today from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Achieve Career Preparatory Academy, 301 Collingwood Blvd., and on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Veteran’s Service Commission, 2595 Arlington Ave.
The eBus will visit the Hancock Family Center in Findlay on Thursday, the Community YMCA in Tiffin on Friday, and the Sandusky Farmers Market in Sandusky on Saturday. More information is available at 53.com/financial-empowerment.
Contact Christina Payne at: cpayne@theblade.com or 419-724-6050.
First Published June 9, 2015, 4:00 a.m.