Devin Black, a Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) coach, works at GLCAP’s downtown Fremont headquarters.

When Megan began searching for financial help in May 2025, she wasn’t sure anyone would be able to assist her.

“I thought no one would want to help me with $18 in my checking account,” she said.

After family members suggested financial advising services, Megan decided to search online instead. A search for “financial help” in Northwest Ohio led her to the Financial Opportunity Center at Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP).

Unlike traditional financial advising firms that manage investments, GLCAP’s Financial Opportunity Center is a grant-funded program that provides free financial coaching for individuals working to improve their financial stability. Coaches help participants create budgets, build credit, set goals and develop plans for long-term financial success.

Through the program, she connected with Devin, a Financial Opportunity Coach, who began working with her to create a monthly budget and set financial goals.

She now meets with Devin every two weeks at the GLCAP downtown office. Through financial coaching, she has learned how to better manage her money and understand the difference between wants and needs.
Since joining the program, Megan has achieved several financial milestones, including improving her credit score. She also now has long-term goals for the future, including eventually moving into a place of her own.

“Before this, I didn’t have hope of that,” she said.

Megan said the support and encouragement she receives through financial coaching have made a significant difference.

“Devin meets you where you are and is not judgmental at all,” she said. “He always says, ‘How can we make this work for you?’”

Even after reaching many of her initial goals, Megan continues to meet regularly with her coach and encourages others to seek help if they are struggling financially.

“He is a phenomenal help. I can’t say enough about him,” she said. “I tell everyone I work with about him.”
For Megan, the program has provided something she didn’t have before: a plan and a sense of possibility for the future.

Learn more about the Financial Opportunity Center at glcap.org/foc.