Press Release: Financial Empowerment Center Celebrates One Year of Supporting Jefferson County Residents

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2026

JEFFERSON, Wis. – The Jefferson County Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) is celebrating a busy and successful first year of service in helping residents improve their financial wellness after opening to the public on September 9th, 2025. The FEC is a free public service that provides one-on-one financial counseling to adults 18 years or older who live, work, or attend school in Jefferson County. Clients can schedule phone, virtual, or in-person appointments in Watertown, Jefferson, Lake Mills, and Fort Atkinson.

Trained FEC counselors work with clients on a wide variety of financial goals including budgeting, increasing savings, building credit, managing debt, connecting to safe and affordable banking, financial goal-setting, and legacy planning.

“Every client comes to the Financial Empowerment Center with their own goals, challenges, and vision for the future. Our role is to meet people where they are and provide the guidance and tools they need to move forward. The results from our first year show that when residents have access to free, trusted financial counseling, meaningful progress can happen,” said Michael Luckey, Jefferson County Administrator.

In just over one year, the FEC has helped 102 clients across the county. Over the span of their cumulative 304 sessions, these clients have reduced non-mortgage debt by more than $417,000, increased savings by more than $135,000, and closed 20 delinquent accounts. 17 clients have seen at least a 35-point credit score increase, with many more approaching that benchmark.

“This data represents more than just a number on a report,” said Meghan Mietchen, Executive Director of Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin. “It represents people who have been able to take steps toward greater financial stability. It represents monthly payments that may have become a little more manageable, goals that may now feel a little more attainable, and families who have been given a little more financial breathing room.”

FEC staff, community members, and partners gathered on September 23rd to celebrate an important milestone: the center’s first year of service and the many accomplishments of FEC participants. The celebration highlighted the dedication, perseverance, and progress of individuals working toward greater financial stability and brighter futures. Following remarks from Michael Luckey, Meghan Mietchen, and FEC staff, two FEC clients were honored with awards recognizing their achievements and
the significant strides they have made toward reaching their financial goals. Their stories served as an inspiring reminder of what is possible when individuals have access to the right resources, guidance, and support — and of the meaningful difference the FEC is making in the lives of residents throughout our County.

The Jefferson County Financial Empowerment Center is made possible through a partnership between Jefferson County Human Services and Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin, along with generous support from:

● Cities for Financial Empowerment (CFE) Fund
● Fort Atkinson Community Foundation
● Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation
● St. Vincent de Paul of Lake Mills
● Summit Credit Union
● Rock Lake Activity Center
● Madison College
● Lake Mills Area Community Foundation
● Bank of Lake Mills
● First Business Bank
● Wisconsin Bankers Foundation
● Associated Bank

For additional information or to schedule a counseling session, visit jeffersoncountywi.gov/fec(Opens in new window) or www.cacscw.org/financial-empowerment-programs/financial-empowerment-center/(Opens in new window), email hnunez@jeffersoncountywi.gov(Opens in new window) or rhiannont@cacscw.org(Opens in new window), or call 920-674-8791.

View a short video about the Jefferson County Financial Empowerment Center: https://youtu.be/-KEbn8RoUrs(Opens in new window)https://youtu.be/-KEbn8RoUrs(Opens in new window)