Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara “BJ” Beaman.
Hi Barbara “BJ,” please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 2017, I started as a coach/case manager at BEAM with their single-parent program. Family Foundations of NE Florida, Inc. was a financial partner that provided financial workshops and one-on-ones to the mother as one of the four components to help them become self-sufficient in their life goals. I faced professional obstacles as I was told to hold these ladies accountable with the same challenges that my husband and I were facing in our financial world. I occasionally spoke with the previous financial counselor to get advice, but I needed more. In 2020, I finally became a client of Family Foundations, which helped my husband and I become homeowners in 2021. Meanwhile, the previous Financial Manager recognized that the clients shared between BEAM and Family Foundations were excelling and achieving goals that other clients weren’t and seemed to bring in Life Coaching Services as a wrap-around service to the Financial Counselors to help their clients maximize their fullest potential. I joined Family Foundations in December 2021 and accepted the Program Manager position in July 2022 after the amazing leader Sonya Fleshman resigned.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Aiming to share with a community of individuals who have been taught for generations not to discuss their business with others not to or have a lack of trust in nonprofit organizations has made it somewhat of a struggle to help individuals take advantage of the financial resources, knowledge, and tools at a low cost of service. It is also difficult because so many for-profit companies advertise with misleading messages that usually hurt those same individuals more in the long term. If I could get more people between the ages 18 and 55 to realize that this is an opportunity not based on your income, status, or position but a chance to have someone sit down with you to help you assess your life, review your credit report, understand your score pattern, and work with someone that can help you develop a few short and long-term goals to reach your following goals in life. Several private and individual services charge hundreds of dollars and can’t offer official credit reports and scores with certified and trained counselors and coaches.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Family Foundations of NE Florida, Inc. aims to maximize individuals and families through financial and mental health services. We have a partnership with United Way and Duval County Public School, where we provide mental health counselors to the students in the Westside Schools (elementary, middle, and high school); we also have our Family and Individual Counseling Services (FICS), where we offer outpatient, marriage and family counseling. Then we have our F.R.E.E. Program (Financially Resilient Economically Empowered); we have several services that I want to make sure you are aware of. Our Keys to Homeownership Program includes (2) appointments with a tri-merge credit report, action plan, and budget in preparation to become prepurchase Ready, a Mini Homeownership Expo and Luncheon, and an 8-hour HBE course. We also have a Debt Management Program, the City of Jax Foreclosure Program, and we love to build partnerships with businesses and companies to help build stronger employees by enhancing their personal financial habits. We also look to develop partnerships with social groups, community organizations, and other nonprofit agencies.
Who else deserves credit for your story?
Our fantastic team, made up of previous staff and leadership, dates back to 1955 and is responsible for the organization’s overall success. Our current Leadership and Team have the heart to serve our 2023-24 statement, which includes Transformation, Inspiration, and Hope. When I think of life, it is my Legacy as one of the Great Granddaughters of Douglas & Ethel Anderson to serve others; it is my passion and ministry.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.familyfoundations.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WiseMoneyJax?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image Credits
Headshot by Sideways Photography
