Knoxville businesses, nonprofits unite to help people boost their credit scores

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Many people have not been taught how to manage their money well, but that could change starting this month. An upcoming community resource fair in Knoxville is teaching financial literacy and how the road to a healthy credit score can change lives.

“It opens so many more doors when you hit that sweet spot. 680, 700 is good, but 720 seems to be the number that opens everything else,” said Laura Contreras-Alanis, a Homeownership Center Manager at HomeSource East Tennessee.

On Saturday, July 20, financial institutions, businesses, and nonprofits will share important financial tips and local resources for the ‘Financial Literacy 720’ campaign.

“It helps most definitely by having the collaboration with the banks that are coming together along with the community partners. Let them know that we are here. We know sometimes, when you are working with banks and numbers, some people feel intimidated by that, but they need to know that they are welcome. We are all in a position to provide the education and knowledge that individuals need to get that credit score of 720,” said Kristie Blevins, a Financial Well-Being Coach at Operation HOPE.

Blevins said their mission is to guide people toward financial success and stability. She doesn’t want people losing sleep over money.

“That number is possible. It’s possible, along with working with a coach and having that accountability. Like I said, we go back to looking at that budget, we look at that credit report, we put them on a debt repayment plan, and we actually give them the tools, skills, and resources that they need to increase their score,” said Blevins.

The resource fair will be held inside the Haslam-Sansom Ministry Complex in Lonsdale from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m . It will offer information in English and Spanish and financial activities for kids in grades K-12.

The sessions will cover different money topics, including credit, money management, and homebuyer education. Contreras-Alanis hopes attendees walk away with the tools to practice financial wellness.

“Information is key for anything, and we want to make sure that they are going into whatever transaction with their eyes wide open and fully understanding what it means to their family, to their budget, to their life,” said Contreras-Alanis.

Second Harvest Food Bank will also join to distribute food to families on a first-come basis this year.

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