Free Financial Classes Helped Kishma Buy Her First Home

“Psychology of Spending” Lessons Kishma Learned at Her Local United Way FEC Kept Her Future Secure 

Since launching in 2015, United Way NCA’s Financial Empowerment Centers (FECs) have expanded across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. 

The FECs tailor services to each community’s needs. Whether someone is preparing their tax return, exploring career advancement, starting a small business, or working toward homeownership, clients receive individualized coaching and access to trusted resources—at no cost to the community. Kishma first sought out financial help from the United Way NCA Washington, D.C., FEC. 

The FEC offers “Spark Series” classes, which Kishma says enabled her to examine her financial health and relationship with spending. As a federal contractor with student loan debt and a poor credit score, she did not think homeownership was attainable. “I was living paycheck-to-paycheck,” Kishma says.

Housing counselors work with those seeking to become first-time homebuyers or in need of help sustaining homeownership. The FECs serve the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population, consisting of those who work hard but struggle to afford the basics. The average cost of rent increased 9% in the region between 2024 and 2025. 

The FECs, located in Washington, D.C., Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, Prince William County, and South (Fairfax) County, provide in-person and virtual financial counseling and workshops. The regular workshops include money management, tax preparation, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. 

“These classes make you do a deep dive on the psychology of spending,” Kishma says. “That weekend financial class we took trying to figure out what was causing us to spend the way we do—that class was so impactful, I called my friend and told her she had to take this class.” 

After years of workshops, financial coaching, and completing the Homeownership Empowerment Lab, Kishma improved her credit score by more than 200 points. She closed on her first home in 2024. “To me, buying a home is legacy—you’re leaving something for the next generation to build wealth,” Kishma says. “I wanted to purchase this house as a long-term investment in me—something I could enjoy, something my family would enjoy—but I wanted to make sure I’d always be able to afford it.” 

 Kishma lost her job as a federal contractor in 2025, but lessons learned in the courses allowed her to maintain her mortgage while she searched for steady employment. “This home is the home God picked for me,” she says. “When I walked in, I was in disbelief until I signed the last paper.” Regardless of homeownership goals or status, Kishma recommends others seek out United Way NCA Financial Empowerment Center classes. “Knowing and understanding makes you more powerful,” Kishma says. “Get the knowledge. It’s free.” Kishma’s story is proof that financial confidence doesn’t happen overnight; it’s built one class, one conversation, and one decision at a time.  

Whether your goal is buying a first home, paying debt, or simply understanding where every dollar goes, United Way NCA’s Financial Empowerment Centers are ready to help, at no cost.   

Find your nearest FEC and sign up for a class today.