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  Financial Freedom  

Helping Formerly Incarcerated People Take the First Step

Our Goals, Vision & Commitment

Who We Are

Volunteer With Us!

Financial education and access to affordable banking services help people create a path to financial stability and economic mobility.   

The First Step Alliance Fresh Start Financial Education and Banking Programs are available to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people through partnerships with community organizations, Departments of Corrections, and other government agencies. There is no cost to participants and all Programs, including credit counseling services, are offered in both English and Spanish. 

Justice-involved individuals experience significant challenges in accessing mainstream financial services. Our vision is to start a new credit union for this community, their families, friends and supporters.  

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We are committed to ending systemic discrimination in financial services.

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 ...a groundbreaking not-for-profit financial institution that will be dedicated to meeting the holistic financial needs of justice-involved individuals – from no-fee, no-minimum checking accounts and debit cards to secured credit cards, credit builder loans, auto loans, and more.

FEATURED IN:

American Banker
Bankrate
Business Insider
Credit Union Times
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Formerly Incarcerated People Deserve a Real Second Chance. 

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Partners & Supporters 

Element FCU logo
dora logo
NJRC logo
SCORE NE logo
Silent Cry logo
CLEAR logo
KOFE-logo
homeboy-logo
OIC logo
Harvard-Law-School-New-Logo
reentry survivors logo
Witness logo
messick-lauer-logo
Homebridge logo
career-resources-logo
AEO logo
Fountain Fund logo
Right Now Project logo
ameelio logo
secure learn logo
Hinda Institute logo
Beautiful Hearts Ministries logo
HIRE logo
Family Promise logo
Tzedek logo

Thank you to all of our generous donors, including the following organizations:

Financial Health Network logo
Alloya Corporate FCU logo
Goldman Sachs Philanthropy logo
US alliance logo
Pro bono Partnership logo
Walmart logo
PSE & G logo
Rothschild Foundation logo

Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud. 

Maya Angelou

First Step Alliance is a proud member of:

Justice Roundtable logo
Paterson Alliance logo
NRWC logo
Society for Non-profits logo
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