Mercy University, City of Mount Vernon Celebrate One Year of Financial Empowerment Center
The Mount Vernon Financial Empowerment Center (MVFEC) marked its first anniversary Jan. 21, celebrating a successful year of providing free financial counseling to residents through a strategic partnership between Mercy University, the City of Mount Vernon and Westchester County.
The event brought together community partners, advocates, and local leaders to reflect on the center’s growing impact on economic stability across the region.
Launched to help residents reduce debt, improve credit and build generational wealth, the center offers professional, one-on-one financial counseling at no cost. For Mercy University, the partnership represents an extension of its mission to serve as a resource for its neighbors.
“This celebration reflects the strength of the collaboration between Mercy University and the City of Mount Vernon—a partnership rooted in a shared commitment to expanding opportunity, increasing access, and supporting the wellbeing of the communities we serve,” said Dr. Kristin Greenwood, provost and senior vice president of academic affairs at Mercy University.
Greenwood announced that the university and the city are working to extend the collaboration for at least another year. She noted that Mercy plans to deepen the relationship by embedding the center’s programming into the university’s academic curriculum.
“This integration will allow our students to participate in meaningful experiential learning, strengthen the workforce pipeline in financial counseling and ensure that the Center’s community impact continues to grow through education and service,” Greenwood said.
Since its inception, the MVFEC has focused on meeting residents where they are financially. Ashley Britton, the center’s program manager, emphasized that the services are rooted in dignity and trust.
“In its first year, the Center has focused on meeting residents where they are — supporting individuals and families as they work to reduce debt, improve credit, build sustainable budgets and move toward long-term financial stability,” Britton said. “These outcomes reflect the power of collaboration, dedicated staff and a shared commitment to community-centered service.”
Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard highlighted the center’s milestones during the event, noting the tangible benefits provided to the community, including access to safe financial tools.
“We heard directly from the community and continue to hear directly from the community that we need practical steps and practical tools and partnerships to help them really get their finances in order and save money and buy houses, open businesses, help prepare for their children to go to college and prepare for retirement. That is what this is all about. Helping people plan for their future so that they can enjoy their today while they are planning for their future,” Patterson-Howard said.
Looking ahead, the partnership aims to expand access and ensure long-term sustainability for the program.
“We look forward to the next year as we continue to expand opportunity, strengthen families, and build a more financially secure future for Mount Vernon and for all of Westchester County,” Greenwood added.