The Southeast Texas Alliance for Economic Inclusion is being established to provide local leadership to enhance the economic well-being of low-to-moderate income individuals and families in Southeast Texas by increasing their knowledge and understanding of personal finance and improving access to the banking system and other asset building programs.  The local Alliance will join a national effort to bring the estimated 30 million unbanked American households into the financial mainstream.

The initial goals of the Alliance are:

1.  To promote and support targeted financial education programs and services in Southeast Texas;

2.  To expand banking services to low-to-moderate income individuals and families in Southeast Texas;

3.  To promote and foster asset building programs in Southeast Texas;

4.  To foster effective consumer economics and consumer credit practices within each individual and family in southeast Texas;

5.  To design, develop and implement a model for harmonious and effective interaction between financial institutions, nonprofit and for profit organizations so that we empower, encourage, strengthen and improve the quality of life for individuals and families in Southeast Texas.

Local organizations currently committed to this effort along with the United Way of Mid & South Jefferson County include Entergy Texas, Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas, City of Beaumont Community Development Department, Helbig CDC, Inc., Lighthouse United, Inc., People First CDC, Inc., SETX CDC, Inc., West Oakland/Pear Orchard Neighborhood Association, Inc., Rebuilding Lives, Inc., and Charlton-Pollard Neighborhood Advisory Committee.