ACT's Connecticut Money School (CMS) provides financial capability workshops for individuals and families across Connecticut. The program gives people of all ages a better understanding of how to manage their finances. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience financial security and feel capable of severing the tie of inter-generational poverty. CMS has reached over 8,000 families since 2009. Each year we broaden our scope and acquire new partners around the state.
Attend a Free Financial Workshop
Want to build up your own personal knowledge? Join a workshop at your convenience. The Connecticut Money School partners with local nonprofits, schools, community centers, churches, and other agencies to host workshops for the general public.
Our 90 minute workshop sessions cover topics ranging from budgeting and managing credit, to more complex issues such as investing and home ownership. Workshops are available in both English and Spanish. The workshops listed below are FREE and open to the public. All classes are taught by financial professionals and held virtually via Zoom from 5:00-6:30pm.
In English
- VITA Part 2 on Monday, February 23
- Money Values & SMART Goals on Monday, March 23
- Money Matters on Monday, April 27
- ABC's of Credit on Monday, May 18
- Healthy Banking on Monday, June 22
- Saving on Monday, August 24
- Financial Resiliency on Monday, September 28
- Managing Your Credit on Monday, October 26
- Protect Yourself on Monday, November 23
En español
- Money Values & SMART Goals on Tuesday, February 10
- Money Matters on Tuesday, April 14
- ABC's of Credit on Tuesday, June 9
- Healthy Banking on Tuesday, August 11
- Saving on Tuesday, October 13
- Financial Resiliency on Tuesday, December 8
Become An Instructor
We rely on volunteers to facilitate our free, interactive workshops. Once you complete orientation our staff will connect you with a local nonprofit, school, community center, church, or other agency, as an extension of ACT reaching directly into your community. If you're interested in our peer to peer learning model, fill out our Volunteer Application.
We have volunteers around the state and we are always in need of more! Areas of high concentration have more workshops, but we expand where our volunteers are!
Volunteer Spotlight
Laura G., an employee at Ion Bank and an active Bank On CT Coalition partner, has been a committed volunteer with the CT Money School and VITA program. She was first inspired to get involved after attending a virtual training session where she realized how much financial knowledge bankers often take for granted, knowledge that many community members don’t have access to. Motivated by this awareness, Laura stepped into a teaching role to help others understand critical concepts around budgeting, credit, and financial literacy.
Laura has facilitated a range of both virtual and in-person financial education sessions. She has supported participants across various life stages, from first-time homebuyers to high school and college students, and adult learners. One of the most impactful moments for Laura came from working with a young immigrant woman enrolled in an adult education program at Naugatuck High School. The participant, who worked as a house cleaner while raising young children, expressed her desire to start her own business. Her dedication, vulnerability, and drive to take steps toward financial empowerment left a lasting impression on Laura and demonstrated the transformative power of these workshops.
Laura consistently witnesses how engaged, grateful, and eager participants are during and after sessions. She recalls young adults at Manchester Community College staying after class to ask additional questions, share personal stories, and seek deeper understanding. These interactions reflect not only the program’s impact but also the trust and space volunteers like Laura help create.
This experience has been personally rewarding for Laura, providing her with a greater sense of connection and purpose. It has allowed her to meet people from diverse backgrounds and engage with community members on a human level. Professionally, it has deepened her commitment to financial inclusion and expanded her perspective on the role financial institutions can play in community empowerment.