About Us

Our Mission Credit Counselling Services of Southwestern Ontario is a not-for-profit agency providing the community with education programmes about money management and budgeting. We give our clients the necessary tools to attain financial well-being and improve their quality of life by providing workshops, one-on-one credit and debt counselling, creditor intervention and debt management programmes.

We are an accredited member of the Ontario Association of Credit Counselling Services and Credit Counselling Canada. We are partly funded by the United Way of Windsor/Essex and partly by creditors and have been serving the Windsor /Essex /Sarnia/ Lambton district for thirty-five years.

PROGRAMMES WE OFFER

Credit counselling and debt management

Our professional counsellors are available Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to meet with you to discuss your circumstances and to offer solutions.

There are usually three available options:

1. Budgeting and money management: When we recommend this option, the client can usually manage the debt load on his or her own with a little coaching and proper planning. A counsellor will sit down one on one and work with the client to set up a budget and discuss ways to cut back on expenses. Clients can also sign up for group workshops on a range of subjects.

2. Third Party Intervention is used when the client needs help contacting creditors and making arrangements for some payment relief. In these situations, the client can manage their debt on their own, once the counsellor has contacted the creditor for some relief.

3. Our debt management programme is the core of our counselling programme. Clients with large debt to income ratios may qualify for debt management if they have enough disposable income left after paying the necessary basic expenses. This allows the client to pay back the debt without having to apply for a loan, which in many cases is not granted due to the client’s past credit history. It also helps the client avoid bankruptcy and the negative consequences associated with personal bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy counselling is a service we offer for those people who have filed for Bankruptcy and must go through Bankruptcy counselling in accordance with the Bankruptcy Act. Talk to your Trustee about using our services.

Community Education: Credit Counselling Services of Southwestern Ontario is committed to providing education about money management to the general community. We offer seminars and workshops, speakers, and a variety of resource material to organizations who request it.

EAP services: Credit Counselling Services of Southwestern Ontario is a partner in Family Services Credit Counselling Employee Assistance Programs.