Who is Horizons?

 Who is Horizons?

Horizons was formed in 2005 in Cedar Rapids when two long-standing, non profit community organizations, Family Service Agency and Alternative Services, merged into one organization known as Horizons.  

What do they do?

The clients that Horizons serves use Meals on Wheels, Consumer Credit Counseling Services, and mental health couseling. With the concept of “Healthy Horizons,” they have a goal of providing services that impact not just one area of a person’s life, but their improvement as a whole.  They assist clients in understanding their current financial situation, help them set goals for improvement, then develop an action plan to reach their goals by providing tools and resources such as financial education classes and materials. By offering these, they are able to provide the knowledge to be successful in reaching their goals and  managing money and credit. 

How do they enhance our community?

"All of our programs are available to everyone, regardless of their socio-economic status or ability to pay a fee.  We advocate for the rights of all groups and individuals subject to discrimination, whether than discrimination is based on race, mental capacity, age, gender, income source, or other protected classes." - Horizons  

Why is financial literacy important?

"The more information a person has, the better decisions they can make.  Financial literacy can provide the means to that information.  No one is born or inherits the skills needed to manage money successfully.  Those traits are learned from personal experience, as well as education.  Financial literacy leads to financial stability and well-being, which impact the economy of the entire community.  Financial skills, attitudes and behaviors are important in breaking the cycle of financial insecurity in which some households and families are mired." - Horizons