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  • BANKING BEYOND BARS

A FRESH START FOR THOSE FRESH OUT ®

14+ month program offering financial education, structured mentorship, and responsible banking access.

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See How It Works
  • Financial Education
  • Mentorship
  • Banking Access
  • WHAT WE DO

Three pillars. One foundation.

Every part of Banking Beyond Bars is built around what participants actually
need to rebuild, not what looks good on paper.

EDUCATION

Learn how money actually works

Practical financial literacy, budgeting, credit, banking, taught in a way that sticks beyond the classroom.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Stay on track with real support

Structured mentorship ensures participants follow through and build habits that last.

ACCESS

Utilize banking tools

Direct connection to banking tools through Connection Credit Union, the foundation for a stable financial future.

  • HOW IT WORKS

Your path forward, at your pace.

The program runs over 14+ months, long enough to build real habits, structured enough to keep you moving forward.

Apply & Get Started

Fill out a short application. No cost, no barriers, just commitment.

Build Your Knowledge

Attend three in-person classes
to gain your financial education.

Establish Banking Access

Open an account with Connection Credit Union and put your knowledge into practice

Introducing The Money Mentor

Meet your assigned money mentor for personalized financial counseling.

Graduate With a Foundation

Leave with the habits, tools and account access to continue building your financial future

Explore The Program

A FINANCIAL LITERACY TOOL

  • Banzai

Free for all Banking Beyond Bars participants, during the program and beyond.

Access Banzai

Interactive Tools. Real confidence.

Financial Courses

Self-paced lessons on budgeting, credit, and saving.

Planning Tools

Calculators and trackers to manage real-life money decisions.

  • PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Looking for a Fresh Start?

Banking Beyond Bars is designed for individuals committed to rebuilding their financial foundation through structure, accountability, and consistent participation.

Learn More About The Program

Who It's For:

  • Formerly incarcerated individuals
  • Those ready for accountability
  • Willing to attend in-person sessions
  • Seeking responsible banking access
  • Committed to long-term stability
  • Open to structured guidance

Who It's NOT For:

  • Individuals seeking immediate financial aid
  • Those unwilling to attend sessions
  • Looking for quick fixes
  • Resistant to accountability
  • Those unable to commit long-term
  • Not interested in habit development
  • BUILT TOGETHER

A program built through collaboration.

Banking Beyond Bars is run in partnership between a community credit union and a reentry focused nonprofit. Together they combined their knowledge, resources and connections to bring Banking Beyond Bars to life.

BANKING PARTNER

Serving the underserved

Connection Credit Union provides each member of our local cooperative family, including those underserved by larger institutions, with personalized financial and education services, ensuring all our members have the tools for financial success.

COMMUNITY PARTNER

Rooted in reentry

The Up From Slavery Initiative was created to heal, inform, and empower our marginalized and underserved communities through racial justice, financial literacy, and wellness.

  • TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Your fresh start begins here.

Applying takes a few minutes. What comes after can change everything. No cost, no barriers, just a commitment to show up.

Apply Now