Be Well at Work Work/Life Fall 2025 Financial Workshops
529 College Saving Plans
Wednesday, September 24th, noon - 1 pm via Zoom
Speaker: James Palen, ScholarShare
How you save and plan for your loved one’s education goals matters. The way you save and allocate for college savings dictates the investments you have access to, the tax status of your funds for education expenses, and even has an impact on the needs-based financial aid your loved one is eligible to receive. Join us for a college savings workshop to help you better navigate the college savings arena. During this workshop, we will discuss:
- Paying for college “The basics”
- The cost of higher education
- Different ways to save
- Is ScholarShare 529 the right plan for you and your family
- Getting started
- Making the most of existing accounts (resources)
- The Matching Grant Program and CalKids Q&A
Building Savings
Wednesday, October 1st, Noon - 1:30 pm, via Zoom
Speaker: Brad Hamada, CFed
What's the difference between someone who lives the life of their dreams and someone who struggles to make ends meet? Most people don’t know where to start or what to do, and thus feel like they aren’t getting anywhere close to where they want to go. If you have ever thought that or felt that way and want to have more confidence in handling money and creating better financial habits, then join us for this important workshop to lay the foundation for everything you need to know about money.
Increase Cash Flow
Wednesday, October 15th, Noon - 1:30 pm, via Zoom
Speaker: Brad Hamada, CFed
Are you fed up with the endless cycle of living paycheck to paycheck? Are you feeling suffocated by debt? In this eye-opening workshop,We will
share 23 ways you can put money back into your pocket and identify simple strategies you can implement immediately to eliminate your debt.
Considering Home Ownership
Understanding Asset Accumulation
Wednesday, November 5th, Noon - 1:30 pm, via Zoom
Speaker: Brad Hamada, CFed
What's the difference between someone who lives the life of their dreams and someone who struggles to make ends meet? Most people don’t know where to start or what to do, and thus feel like they aren’t getting anywhere close to where they want to go. If you have ever thought that or felt that way and want to have more confidence in handling money and creating better financial habits, then join us for this important workshop to lay the foundation for everything you need to know about money.
Mortgage Modifications
Additional Financial Workshops
My UC Retirement
Financial Education Classes
Topics include:
- Guide to Investing in the UC Retirement Savings Program
- Create a Budget and Build Emergency Savings
- Preserving Your Savings for Future Generations
LinkedIn Learning
UC Resources
- Financial Planning Resources - UC Berkeley offers many free classes, workshops, and resources on financial management to help faculty, staff, and retirees take control of their financial future.
- BMO Bank at Work Program: BMO's BAW Program partners with companies looking to positively impact the financial well-being of their employees’ lives while improving recruitment, retention, and productivity. They make this happen by providing UC Berkeley employees with financial knowledge, guidance, and security.
- iGrad - This online tool has many valuable resources including budgeting and scholarship search tools, planning for home ownership, or preparing for retirement. Join the 1300+ UC Berkeley community members signed up to use iGrad.
- HR Perks - Most campus events and museums offer discounts to faculty, staff, and students. Your Cal 1 Card photo ID will make it easier and quicker to get discounts on the events and services listed below.
- Be sure to check out the UCOP online lists of discounts for all UC employees(link is external) including Apple, Dell, HP, theme parks, and attractions!
- Utilize a Budget Planner to identify your incoming and outgoing cash flow and areas that you can financially improve.
BMO Smart Progress Program
BMO SmartProgress® powered by EVERFI
BMO know that you face important financial decisions each and every day, and they aspire to be there to support you every step of the way. The short lessons found here will equip you with the know-how you need to achieve real financial progress and create a stable financial future for you and your family. Get started with a custom learning playlists, or create your own personalized learning experience. Lessons include:
Community Resources
Financial and Housing Counseling and Support
Alameda County Housing and Development
BALANCE Concord
Tel: 1-800-777-7526
CHDC (Community Housing Development Corporation)
1535 Fred Jackson Way, Richmond
Tel: 510-412-9290
Email: info@communityhdc.org
Echo Housing
Hayward: 510 581 9380Antioch: 925-732-3919
Livermore: 925-583-5992
Oakland: 510-496-0496
Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California
1314 Lincoln Ave, San Rafael
Tel: 415 457 5025
Email: fhanc@fairhousingnorcal.org
Habitat for Humanity East Bay
2619 Broadway, Oakland
Tel: 510 803 3371 or 866 450 4432
Email: homeowner@habitatebsv.org
NACA (Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America)
Oakland Tel: 510-652-6622
Sacramento Tel: 425-892-6222
Richmond Neighborhood Housing Service
12972 San Pablo Ave, Richmond
Tel: 510 237 6459
Email: nikkibeasley@eastbaynhs.org
San Francisco Housing Development Corp
4439 3rd St, SF
Tel: 415 822 1022
San Francisco LGBT Community Center
1800 Market St, SF
Tel: 415 865 5652
Email: leisab@sfcenter.org
Emergency Housing
Berkeley Food and Housing Project
Compass Family Shelter
995 Market Street, 5th Floor, San Francsico
Tel: 405 644 0504 ext. 2320
Everyone Home Alameda County
101 Callan Ave. San Leandro
Tel: 510 473 8643
Email: info@everyonehome.org
FESCO
21455 Birch St. Box, Hayward,
Tel: 510 886 5473
In need of shelter, call: (510) 581-3223
Hamilton Families
East Bay Office: 1611 Telegraph Avenue, Suite 600, Oakland (SF location also)
Tel: 510 763 8540
SAHA: Satellite Affordable Housing Associates
1835 Alcatraz Avenue
Berkeley
CA 94703
Shelter Inc.
Tel: 925 338 1038 from 9 – 4pm M-F
Email: shelter@shelterinc.org
Can help provide a portion of the move-in or stay-in costs for rental Housing
Food
UC Berkeley Food Pantry
#68 MLK Student Union (Basement Floor)The UC Berkeley Food Pantry was established to provide emergency relief to help students and staff at the University of California.
CalFresh Program
Tel: 1 877 847 3663
To apply: benefitscal.com
California Dept. of Health: Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC)
Alameda County
Alameda County Community Food Bank
Helpline: 1 800 870 3663 or 510 635 3663
Must sign up through CalFresh Program
Berkeley Food and Housing Project
1901 Fairview Street, Berkeley
Tel: 510 649 4965
St. Vincent De Paul Alameda County
Dining Room: 675 23rd St. Oakland
Tel: 510 638 7600
Food Assistance Program info: svdp-alameda.org/program-detail.html
Contra Costa County
Bay Area Rescue Mission Food Pantry
123 Macdonald Avenue, Richmond
Tel: 510 215 4555
Email: info@bayarearescue.org
Contra Costa & Solano Food Bank
Tel: 1 855 309 3663
Email: info@foodbankccs.org
Loaves & Fishes of Contra Costa
835 Ferry St, Martinez
Tel: 925 293 4792
Email: info@loavesfishescc.org
Richmond Emergency Food Pantry
Grace Lutheran Church
2369 Barrett Avenue, Richmond
Tel: 510 235 9732
Email: info@refp.org
San Francisco and Marin
SF-Marin Food Bank
900 Pennsylvania Ave, SF
Tel: 415 282 1900
2550 Kerner Blvd. San Rafael
Tel: 415 883 1302
Email: info@sfmfoodbank.org