The Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (AIR) is proud to announce the launch of the Third session of its Financial Empowerment Pilot Program (FEPP), designed to empower service industry professionals with financial skills. Application and more information is available at airasheville.org/financialempowerment and are due Friday, January 24. 

The five-month program, which begins with a one-day workshop, helps participants create personal financial plans. Monthly group and individual sessions cover topics like budgeting, responsible credit use, retirement planning, homeownership, and entrepreneurship.

“The AIR Financial Empowerment Program has been an immense help in my journey to find financial freedom.The knowledge and resources I’ve been given have allowed me to understand my finances better and to feel confident managing them in the ways that most benefit me,” said Lauren Burrows, current program participant and employee at Cultura. 

Facilitated by experts Annice Brown and Jane Hatley, the program has already seen success in its first session, with 24 participants reaching their savings goals and qualifying for a $1,000 match. But more importantly, participants paid down debt and loans, improved their credit scores, and began saving for retirement or down payments. 

“Nationwide and across various industries, there’s a lack of emphasis on financial empowerment. Our program is uniquely tailored to address this gap, focusing on empowering our restaurant workforce to cultivate a healthy and informed relationship with their finances,” said AIR’s Executive Director Meghan Rogers.

The program is generously funded by Dogwood Health Trust, the WNC Community Foundation’s Asheville Merchants Fund, and the Best Year Yet Foundation. AIR’s partner, Eblen Charities, and AIR member restaurants also support employee participation.