Free financial literacy workshops in Delaware to help you make smart money moves

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Managing money can be overwhelming, and for many, financial advice feels out of reach, complicated by jargon, sales pitches or a fear of asking the wrong questions. But what if there was a way to get real, judgment-free financial guidance in a casual, welcoming setting?

Enter the Financial Empowerment Expo, conceived to help Delaware residents take control of their financial futures with no pressure, no fluff and no fee — just real conversations with financial experts. Hosted by financial literacy specialist Yolanda Soto, these workshops intend to provide practical insights on credit, investments, budgeting and more, in a relaxed environment where participants can ask questions openly or anonymously.

“Most of us didn’t didn’t come from money,” Soto said. “The only thing we were taught was, ‘work hard and pay your bills.’” A financial coach in Delaware for over 20 years, Soto advises that real financial security requires strategy, planning and knowledge. “Participants who come to this event will learn how to build generational wealth,” she said.

Soto said anyone who earns or handles money can benefit from the workshops.

Whether you’re on Social Security, receiving a trust fund, working a full-time job or running a small business, financial experts will be on hand to help participants create a financial strategy tailored to their income, goals and circumstances.

What attendees can expect

The free workshops are a collaboration between WGM Outreach Ministries and Network Connect, two organizations dedicated to empowering Delaware communities. The events aim to reach residents of all three counties, ensuring that financial literacy is accessible to all.

The first event will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 8, at the Wilmington Public Library, followed by a second session at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 22, at WGM Outreach Ministries in Bridgeville.

The workshops aim to break down common barriers that keep people from seeking financial counseling.

• Expert guidance: Learn about credit, investments, insurance and budgeting.
• Free financial reviews: Bring your insurance and investment documents for a complimentary assessment.
• Actionable strategies: Get personalized advice on protecting your financial future.

Planned sessions will offer attendees the chance to learn from financial professionals and participate in interactive workshops. Along with Soto, the event will feature speakers such as Primerica Financial Representative Rod Hausmann and Fulton Bank Financial Center Manager Jvonne Oliver.

To ensure participants get the help they need, financial professionals will be available for one-on-one follow-ups after the events, according to organizers. For more information or to register, visit the Financial Empowerment Expo on Eventbrite.

How Soto’s financial discovery became a personal mission

For Soto, financial education isn’t just a career, it’s also a personal mission. Soto’s passion for financial literacy began in her early 20s when she struggled with credit and budgeting after moving into her first home.

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“I was 17 when I got my first credit card, and I thought, ‘How nice of these people to send me money so I could go shopping,’” Soto recalled. “I made many mistakes at an early age that I had to learn how to fix them on my own.”

Determined to learn more, she dove into the world of financial services and became a licensed life insurance agent, a certified credit restoration specialist and an IRS-registered tax return preparer. Over time, she built a reputation for helping friends, neighbors and colleagues improve their credit, buy homes and achieve financial stability. She is now the executive director of WGM Outreach Ministries.

Soto’s goal with these workshops is to break the stigma around financial struggles and create a space where people can ask questions without embarrassment or fear. She explained that many times when people come to her for services, they feel defeated by their financial situations, but “I always let them know it is fixable,” she said.

Even if you’ve had bad credit for years, she said, with the right plan, you still can turn things around.

You can contact Anitra Johnson at [email protected].