Whenever I meet with anyone in Kitchener who is having money problems, I always explain that there are many options for dealing with debt. Of course I talk about consumer proposals and personal bankruptcy because that's what we do, but I always also mention credit counselling as a bankruptcy alternative.
Credit counselling involves meeting with a credit counsellor to review your monthly budget, and work out a plan to deal with your debts. If budgeting alone isn't enough, they can also help you with a Debt Management Program, where they contact your creditors and work out a repayment plan on your behalf, often with significantly reduced interest.
Catholic Family Counselling is the only not-for-profit credit counselling agency in Kitchener, and they are the only accredited member of the Ontario Association of Credit Counselling Services in Waterloo Region, so if you want a credit counselor, they are a great place to start. They are located at 400 Queen Street South in Kitchener.
They are a non-denominational agency, so you don't have to be Catholic to use their services.
Heather told me that the average person they help has $25,000 in debts. Their average client is between 30 and 50 years old, and most of them are employed, but having trouble making ends meet.
Catholic Family Counselling has great success helping people deal with credit card and bank debt, and they can also work out plans to deal with payday loans and even Revenue Canada debt.
Ms. Cudmore stressed that she sees her role as someone who provides options. Like me, her counsellors explain all options, including budgeting, debt consolidation, credit counseling, proposals and bankruptcy. She will give advice to clients, but she will also encourage people if they have any doubts to get a second opinion from friends, family, or other professionals.
I have always been impressed by the fact that they deal with their clients in a non-judgmental way; their primary concern is to find solutions to your money problems. And, as a full service counselling agency, they can also help with problems not related to debt.
Heather also makes frequent appearances speaking to groups. She has also appeared on the radio many times in the past; click here to hear her talk about credit counselling.
To reach Catholic family counseling, call them in Kitchener at 519-743-6333 and ask for credit counseling, or contact them through their Catholic Family Counselling Centre webiste.
posted by J. Douglas Hoyes, CA, Trustee @ 4:21 PM
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