Working Bridges: Achieving Sustainability and Scale
The FINRA Investor Education Foundation (FINRA Foundation), in partnership with United Way Worldwide, released a new report and docuseries focused on the impact of Working Bridges, a groundbreaking workplace financial wellness program that demonstrates how employers, nonprofits and community partners can work together to improve financial well-being while strengthening local economies.
Downloadable Program Profile
Since the launch of Working Bridges in 2007—first by United Way of Northwest Vermont, then adapted by neighboring Green Mountain United Way—the program has served more than 37,000 employees across northern Vermont. Through a first-of-its-kind partnership between the two local United Ways, the program has become a regional model for workplace financial wellness.
Working Bridges is offered in partnership with local employers as an employee benefit. The program helps employees of partnering companies address personal financial challenges that can undermine job performance and lead to employee turnover, especially for low- and moderate-income workers.
Ethnographic Docuseries
Part I: Supporting a Resilient Workforce (4:11)
A multi-purpose overview and introduction to the Working Bridges program components, partners, and employer network.
Part II: In Pursuit of an Effective Alliance (10:58)
The emergence of the collaborative partnership between United Way of Northwest Vermont and Green Mountain United Way culminate in the decision to hire a shared senior program manager.
Part III: A Pivotal Hire Brings Immediate Results (12:24)
The onboarding and integration of the new senior program manager.
Part IV: Fostering Strong Communities (6:49)
Looking to the future of the Working Bridges Alliance through expansion to other regions of Vermont and beyond.
“The story of the Working Bridges Alliance is one of collaboration rooted in a shared vision. At the end of the day, we all want the same thing: for Vermont’s working families to have reliable, affordable access to the resources they need, no matter where they live or work.”