Reynolds launches Financial Opportunity Center® in partnership with LISC Virginia and Center for Working Families

Career Connect at Reynolds Community College, in partnership with the Center for Working Families and LISC Virginia, celebrated the launch of the Financial Opportunity Center® (FOC®) model. Career Connect is Reynolds’ integrated career services center, supporting students pursuing degree programs as well as workforce credentials through the college’s workforce division, the Community College Workforce Alliance (CCWA).

This new collaboration expands access to integrated career coaching and financial literacy services, helping students and community members build sustainable career pathways and long-term financial stability.

Reynolds Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Jennifer Mezquita-Macaia, emphasized that the event marked more than a celebration—it honored a powerful partnership grounded in shared commitment to students and the broader community.

“When we invest in career guidance and financial empowerment, we remove barriers and open doors for our students, their families, and our region,” Dr. Mezquita-Macaia said.

Through the partnership with LISC Virginia, Career Connect will implement the FOC® model, which integrates career coaching, financial literacy, and workforce navigation services. Dr. Mezquita-Macaia highlighted that student success extends beyond academics, noting that this initiative will provide both skills and stability, helping students achieve long-term economic mobility.

Angie Hart, Executive Director and Founder of the Center for Working Families, recognized the team and partners who make this effort possible. “This model is about opportunity and what becomes possible when strong partners come together with a shared purpose,” Hart said. She praised LISC’s role in supporting the FOC® model nationally and emphasized the dedication of staff working to make these services accessible.

Jane Farrar, Executive Director of LISC Virginia, described the FOC® model as a holistic approach to community support. LISC, a national nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), partners with local organizations to expand economic opportunity through capital, expertise, and technical assistance.

“The launch of this Opportunity Center represents a commitment to helping individuals and families not only get by, but get ahead. What makes this effort so powerful is that it brings together three things that are often siloed: workforce training, financial coaching, and career navigation,” Farrar said.

Anna Knowles, Director of Career Services at CCWA, provided context for the partnership. CCWA serves as the workforce division of Reynolds and Brightpoint, delivering short-term credentials to more than 3,600 students annually in high-demand industries. Reynolds serves more than 11,000 students across over 100 programs of study, making Career Connect a vital hub for workforce preparation.

“This partnership just makes sense. By joining forces, we can provide the financial education and support our students need for true economic mobility,” Knowles said. She explained that many students, after graduating and entering their first high-paying jobs, often lack the skills to manage income effectively or navigate changes in public benefits. The FOC® model will equip students with those tools, helping them sustain upward mobility and financial stability.

Nury Mojica, Bilingual RSVP Career and Financial Specialist at CCWA, shared how the FOC® model transforms lives through structural support and individualized guidance.

“The Financial Opportunity Center® is about giving you the strength to do things on your own,” Mojica said, highlighting the ripple effect of empowerment the center creates for families and the community.

She told the story of a mother who returned to the program for additional coaching and encouraged her son, Semaj Brown, to participate as well. With career guidance, skill assessments, and professional preparation, Brown gained both employment and confidence, now serving as an Eligibility Specialist at the Center for Working Families.

Brown was there to share his personal journey of persistence, mentorship, and growth. Starting in high school with IT certifications, Brown faced challenges entering the workforce despite multiple credentials. Through ongoing coaching and support from CCWA and the FOC® model, he strengthened his skills, volunteered in his community, and ultimately secured employment.

“The thing that kept bringing me back was their willingness to help—no matter how long it took,” Brown said. His story underscores the impact of the center in providing both opportunity and guidance.

Nichole Armstead, City Treasurer for Richmond, celebrated the FOC® launch as a continuation of a long-standing commitment to community service. She reflected on how partnerships formed during the pandemic led to sustained initiatives, such as Community Resource Navigators, and praised the dedication of everyone involved in making the launch possible.

“This center provides preparation, support, and tangible proof that opportunity is attainable,” Armstead said, pointing to Brown’s story as an example of the difference the program can make.

The new Financial Opportunity Center® at Reynolds Career Connect represents a collaborative investment in people, skills, and futures. By integrating career coaching, financial literacy, and workforce navigation services, the center will serve as a “front door” to opportunity, helping students and community members achieve confidence, stability, and long-term economic mobility.

For more information on Career Connect, please visit our website.