Skip to content

CEI

Innovation and investment in rural America.

  • Find an Advisor
    • For Entrepreneurs
      • Small Business Development Center
      • The CEI Women’s Business Center
      • StartSmart
      • Workforce Solutions
      • Child Care Business Lab
      • Downeast Business Boot Camp & Pitch-Off
      • Small Business Resources
    • For Sustainable Food Systems
      • Agriculture & Food Systems
      • Tastemakers Initiative
      • Fisheries & Aquaculture
      • Maine Seafood Marketing Initiative
    • For Individuals
      • Homebuyer / Homeowner
      • Financial Wellness
      • Resident Owned Communities
  • Apply for Financing
    • For Businesses
      • Make a Loan Payment
      • Wicked Fast Loans
      • Grow Maine at CEI
      • Business Loans
      • Sea Farm Loans
      • Venture Capital
      • Maine Relief Programs
    • FOR PROJECTS
      • Solar Energy Financing
      • Community Facility Financing
      • CRA & Opportunity Zone Real Estate Investments
      • New Markets Tax Credits
      • State Historic Tax Credits
  • Maine State Programs at CEI
    • Maine State Child Care Infrastructure Grant Program
      • Grow Maine at CEI
  • Meet Our Subsidiaries
    • Bright Community Capital
    • CEI-Boulos Capital Management
    • CEI Capital Management
    • CEI Ventures
  • About
  • News & Events
  • Donate
  • Contact
  • Search
Close
loading...

Henry Benner

A Helping Hand Toward Financial Wellness

“I spent money as I had it and never worried about saving it,” said Henry Benner of his working days.

Now in his 60s, with no ability to drive and limited mobility due to medical issues, Henry was struggling. Money was the only thing going out and there never seemed to be enough to meet the bills. His home was in disrepair and lacked appropriate heating, while calls from utility companies threatening to cut service were a constant source of anxiety and aggravated his poor health. 

Henry knew that there were options for support, but with limited education and lingering effects from an old head injury, he found the paperwork overwhelming. He just needed a helping hand.

That helping hand came in the form of financial capability advisor from CEI. As a member of a resident-owned community in Pemaquid (a community-owned and managed manufactured home park), Henry was eligible for CEI’s financial wellness program, a one-on-one service that partnered Henry with Mechelle Given, a certified financial advisor who met with Henry at his home to work to resolve both immediate issues and provide tools to build habits for sustainable, long term economic stability.

CEI identified a number of local resources that could help improve Henry’s quality of life and his financial stability. But CEI’s support didn’t stop with a list of phone numbers, Mechelle scheduled appointments, helped Henry complete paperwork, mailed forms and followed up with organizations as needed until results were clear:

An overdue electric bill was paid off and communications with the Public Utilities Commission ended the threatening calls.

Habitat for Humanity stepped in to repair a broken bathroom floor, update lighting, and provide weatherization.

The local Community Action Program (CAP) office qualified Henry for heating and electric assistance and MaineHousing’s Central Heating Improvement Program (CHIP) installed an adequate heating system.

At the time Mechelle began working with Henry, CEI was unable to offer a ROC-resident matched savings program, since his current income and expenses would have made it a burden for him to save. With the new resources reducing his monthly expenses, Henry no longer needed to rely on a food pantry and was able to put $800 of his own money, no match needed, into savings.

Of Mechelle and CEI’s financial wellness program, Henry said: “It’s changed a lot of things for me. She’s been a godsend, a guardian angel.”

No-Cost Financial Wellness Counseling for ROC Residents

As part of our mission to build more broadly shared prosperity, CEI has developed a financial wellness program specifically for members of Maine’s Resident-Owned Communities. This no-cost, confidential, in-depth service is designed to meet you where you are and get you where you want to be.

Counseling sessions are scheduled at your home or location of your choice at a time convenient for you and your family. A certified financial wellness coach will help you identify financial goals and develop a plan to meet them. Need extra help? We can help you access resources and programs to reduce costs, make needed repairs/improvements, and meet basic needs.

CEI’s financial wellness coaches are certified by the Financial Counseling Association of America (FCAA). To learn more about this programming visit: https://www.ceimaine.org/advising/housing/housing-counseling/financial-wellness-program/

More Stories

CEI Stories

  • A smiling Passamaquoddy Native American woman standing in front of a craft fair booth
    Crafts From The Bay
    A Business Born from the Heart
  • Mis Primeros Pasos
    Taking steps to help children develop a loving connection with the natural world and diverse cultures
  • Crown Fried Chicken & Kebab
    Elbow Grease + Expertise = An Excellent Eatery
  • Rhona Beauty LLC
    From New Career to New Business Owner
  • Tubelite Inc.
    Creating Good Jobs in Mesquite, Texas
  • Carolina’s Specialty Shop
    Bringing an immigrant's perspective to supporting locally-made goods.
More Stories

We are creating an economy that lifts all people.

About Us

Join Us!

"*" indicates required fields

Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

  • Coastal Enterprises on Instagram
  • Coastal Enterprises on Linkedin
  • Coastal Enterprises on Facebook
  • Coastal Enterprises on Twitter
  • Coastal Enterprises on Youtube

COASTAL ENTERPRISES, INC.
30 Federal Street, Suite 100
Brunswick, ME 04011
207-504-5900

Find Your Local Office

  • Advice
    • For Business
    • For Sustainable Food Systems
    • For Homeowners
    • Apply for Financing
    • Make a Loan Payment
  • CEI Subsidiaries
    • Bright Community Capital
    • CEI-Boulos Capital Management
    • CEI Capital Management
    • CEI Ventures
  • Investing in CEI
    • Donate
    • Investment Capital
    • Venture Capital
    • Solar Investments
  • About
    • Our Team
    • Our History
    • Careers at CEI
    • Publications and Reports
    • Public Policy Initiatives

© 2023 Coastal Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Coastal Enterprises, Inc. is an equal opportunity lender, provider, and employer.

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy