Citi Bank Partners with KCAO to Bring Financial Literacy Workshops to Holiday Lodge Residents

KCAO’s Holiday Lodge Bridge Housing residents recently had the opportunity to participate in a series of financial literacy workshops made possible through a partnership with Citi Bank.

Throughout May and June, Ashley Abenoja-Bocek of Fresno Citi Bank, visited KCAO’s Holiday Lodge Bridge Housing program to lead four financial literacy workshops for residents. Each session focused on a different topic designed to help participants build practical money management skills, including understanding credit, budgeting, learning about different types of bank accounts, and gaining a stronger foundation for making informed financial decisions.

The workshops were created to support residents as they work toward stability and long-term independence. Financial literacy is an important part of self-sufficiency because it helps individuals better understand how to manage their money, plan for expenses, use banking services, build or repair credit, and avoid financial setbacks. For individuals transitioning through bridge housing, these skills can be especially valuable as they prepare for the next steps in housing, employment, and daily life.

KCAO’s Holiday Lodge Bridge Housing program is operated in partnership with Kings County Behavioral Health and provides temporary bridge housing for 27 individuals experiencing mental illness. The project includes renovated rooms where residents can prepare meals, store food, and sleep in a safe and supportive environment. In addition to housing, residents receive access to case management, life and home skills training, referrals to appropriate services, and other supports that help promote stability.

By bringing financial education directly to residents, the workshops helped connect participants with information they can use in real-life situations. Topics such as credit and banking are often essential for securing housing, managing bills, opening accounts, and planning for the future. These sessions also gave residents a welcoming space to ask questions, learn at their own pace, and gain confidence in areas that can sometimes feel overwhelming.

KCAO is grateful to Citi Bank and Ashley Abenoja-Bocek for their time, partnership, and commitment to supporting the community. Partnerships like this strengthen the services offered to residents and help provide tools that go beyond immediate needs.

Through housing support, case management, life skills education, and community partnerships, KCAO’s Holiday Lodge Bridge Housing program continues to help residents build a stronger foundation for the future. The financial literacy workshops are another example of how collaboration can create meaningful opportunities for individuals working toward stability, independence, and a better quality of life.