Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven is thrilled to share that two members of our HomeOwnership Center team, Heidie Colon-Rosa, Housing Coordinator, and Ricky Morris, Housing Specialist, were selected to participate in NeighborWorks America’s Financial Capability Capacity Building Cohort in Denver, Colorado.
Through the cohort, Heidie and Ricky joined staff from 14 other NeighborWorks organizations across the country for intensive training in financial coaching and program design. In addition, they will receive six months of technical assistance from a financial coaching expert.
Staff Experience
Heidie participated in the financial coaching track and found it both energizing and highly applicable to her work:
“My financial coaching training was so good! The sessions were practical, engaging, and easy to follow. The instructor broke down complex topics into simple, actionable steps, and the exercises gave me tools I can use right away with clients. I left feeling more confident about budgeting, goal-setting, and coaching techniques, and I’m excited to put what I learned into practice.”
As mentioned, her training will directly strengthen the support she provides to residents as they work toward financial stability and long-term planning.
Ricky also found to experience to be a great learning opportunity:
“When I first encountered the concept of financial coaching, I assumed it was similar to traditional counseling—focused on advising people on budgeting, saving, investing, or managing debt. However, this training revealed that coaching is fundamentally different. It is a partnership-based approach, centered on walking alongside individuals as they set goals, build confidence, and celebrate progress.”
Ricky found that financial coaching isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about listening, encouraging, and helping people believe in their own potential.
Strengthening Financial Capability at NHS
Heidie and Ricky’s participation in this cohort marks an important step in expanding NHS’s Financial Capability Program. The combination of advanced training, national peer learning,and expert technical assistance will significantly enhance our ability to support New Haven residents on their financial journeys.
We are proud of Heidie and Ricky for their leadership, enthusiasm, and commitment to learning and we look forward to integrating these new tools and strategies into our work in 2026 and beyond.
Stay tuned for updates as we grow this important program!
