Credit Education Bureau
About the CEB
The Credit Education Bureau (CEB) is a program of Catholic Family Center - a non-profit agency based in Rochester, NY - with a mission of helping individuals and families to build better financial futures through financial education and capability services. Unlike traditional credit counseling agencies, the CEB operates under the principals and philosophies of a family service agency and focuses on a more holistic approach to addressing personal finance challenges. As a result, the CEB is able to deliver innovative services that empower individuals to become successful and independent money managers throughout life.
Originally established in 1989 as an educational division of the Credit Bureau of Rochester – a local credit reporting agency – the CEB grew out of the rising need for financial literacy in the early and mid 1990's. The CEB officially took root as a non-profit agency in 1995 and focused primarily on disseminating financial literacy information through three main avenues – on-site classes at community groups and schools, a financial hot-line, and an annual media campaign. As the credit and financial services industry expanded throughout the late 1990's and early 2000's, so did the demand from consumers facing high debt levels, damaged credit, and stretched budgets. As a result, the CEB added services such as Financial Health Counseling and Bankruptcy Counseling to address these common financial challenges consumers were facing. Additionally, the CEB formed partnerships with other community organizations to develop and lead programs that created opportunities for improved personal finances.
In April of 2010, the CEB embarked on a new chapter of its journey when it joined forces with Catholic Family Center; the largest family service provider in Rochester, NY. As a program of Catholic Family Center, the CEB is uniquely positioned to help individuals and families who are struggling with their household finances. Not only does the CEB have the capability to provide a tailored approach in addressing each person's unique financial picture, it also provides connections to the wide breadth of services offered by Catholic Family Center.
Catholic Family Center
Catholic Family Center is Rochester's largest family service provider; helping nearly 64,000 people each year achieve independence with dignity. Unlike most local human service agencies that perform a few services for one or two populations, CFC is a comprehensive agency that houses nine major service areas for people of all ages, races, religions and socioeconomic circumstances. In all, CFC has more than 60 programs within its nine service departments, available to the community at 19 locations throughout Monroe and Wayne Counties.
Catholic Family Center's history goes back to 1917, when it was first known as Catholic Charities Aid Association of Rochester. Back then, the agency was organized to assist immigrants, find employment for men released from prison, serve unmarried mothers and their infants, and provide material goods for the poor. In 1988, after decades of independent community service, the regional office was merged with Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) and the Genesee Valley Office of Social Ministry, forming the multi-faceted human service agency now known as Catholic Family Center.
Today, as a regional office of Catholic Charities, CFC still provides many of the original services it started in 1917, plus a host of new programs that make it the largest comprehensive family service agency in Rochester. These include youth programs, refugee resettlement, aging and adult, adoption and foster care, substance abuse treatment, employment services, homeless shelters, workforce training programs, behavioral health services, employee assistance programs, counseling and advocacy. At CFC, we are proud of our history and excited about a future where we will be able to continue to offer all people services that lead to Independence with Dignity. Currently, Catholic Family Center is the largest regional office of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester. The Diocese of Rochester, led by Bishop Matthew Clark, extends from the southern shore of Lake Ontario, through New York's Finger Lakes region, and to the New York-Pennsylvania border. Established in 1868, the Diocese encompasses 12 counties and is home to approximately 350,000 Catholics belonging to nearly 200 faith communities.
Catholic Family Center is a member of Catholic Charities USA, the membership association of one of the nation's largest social service networks. Catholic Charities agencies and institutions nationwide provide vital social services to people in need, regardless of their religious, social or economic backgrounds. Catholic Charities USA supports and enhances the work of its membership by providing networking opportunities, national advocacy and media efforts, program development, training and technical assistance, and financial support.
