Milwaukee, WI — Buying a first home. Rebuilding after financial setbacks. Improving a credit score by more than 170 points. Preparing for retirement.
These are just some of the milestones achieved by graduates of Prime Financial Credit Union's Financial Literacy And Matched Earnings (FLAME) program, celebrated this week during a graduation ceremony at ThriveOn King in Milwaukee. Over the past 10 months, participants combined matched savings with one-on-one financial coaching to strengthen their financial futures.
Each graduate committed to saving $60 per month, while Prime Financial Credit Union matched those contributions at a 3-to-1 rate. By completing the program, graduates earned $2,400 to put toward their financial goals.
"Tonight is about more than dollars saved," said Christine Moczynski, President & CEO of Prime Financial Credit Union. "It's about the habits, confidence, and determination that participants developed over the last 10 months. Every graduate made a commitment to themselves and followed through on it."
For Tierra, the program helped reinforce a goal she had been working toward for years: homeownership. While participating in FLAME, she purchased a home for herself and her children, creating a stable place for her family to grow. Her credit score improved from 632 to 658, and she plans to use her FLAME funds to continue reducing debt and strengthening her financial foundation.
For Charlicia, the journey was about breaking a cycle of financial stress. By eliminating unnecessary expenses, strategically paying down debt, and building positive credit habits, she improved her credit score from 478 to 651—a remarkable 173-point increase. What once felt like constant financial survival has become a path toward long-term stability.
Another graduate, Sojourney, entered the program while rebuilding her life after returning to Milwaukee from Arizona. As a single mother, she balanced seasonal employment, housing challenges, and transportation setbacks, including losing her vehicle in an accident. Despite those obstacles, she improved her credit score from 530 to 603, addressed outstanding collections, and developed stronger savings habits. She plans to use her FLAME funds toward purchasing another vehicle to support her family's continued progress.
At just 23 years old, Maya used FLAME to gain confidence managing her finances while balancing work, school, and a move into her first apartment. Through budgeting, credit education, and coaching support, she improved her credit score from 600 to 659 and developed financial habits that will support her independence for years to come.
The program's impact extends across all stages of life. John, who is approaching retirement, used FLAME to navigate a home purchase and unexpected family and home repair expenses. Through budgeting and financial planning, he gained greater awareness of his spending and developed strategies to maintain financial stability as he prepares for retirement.
Throughout the program, participants met regularly with certified volunteer financial coaches from Prime Financial Credit Union. Coaches completed months of coursework and certification training to provide personalized guidance, accountability, and encouragement throughout each participant's journey.
The FLAME program is supported through a grant from Inclusiv, a national organization dedicated to expanding financial opportunity through community development credit unions.
"Every participant's story is different, but they all share something in common: perseverance," said Cole Herbst, Director of Communications & Digital Experiences at Prime Financial Credit Union and a FLAME coach. "They balanced work, family responsibilities, unexpected expenses, and life's challenges while continuing to save and invest in themselves. That's what we're celebrating."