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The City of Lansing may soon be able to help out if you're having money problems. Lansing is one of five cities to share in a multi-million dollar grant that will help people get back on their feet. The money will be used to create programs on how to avoid foreclosure and eliminate debt among other things.

The grant is for people like George Moellendick, who have fallen on hard times financially and need that guidance telling them how to overcome it. "I try to get a leg over and i keep slipping on the net. That's what a lot of people here are experiencing." Director of Lansing's Human Relations Department, Dr. Joan Jackson-Johnson says what the local government has now isn't working, but this new grant gives her hope.  "We just placed a mother with kids into a home and this is going to be this young ladies 1st chance to move ahead."

The 1.5 million dollars will be split into three years.

The money won't be going to the people themselves, but to the one-on-one services the new Financial Empowerment Center will provide. "Give them the tools to avoid foreclosure, increase savings reduce debt, and work out anything with their creditors, stand up.

In the city of Lansing alone 25% of the people are living at or below the poverty level.  It is that quarter of the population that the grant hopes to help. Chief of staff Randy Hannan, Lansing Mayors Office "We believe the grant will reach four thousand of those people," the center should open the beginning of March and when it does there will be multiple stations around the city to provide easy access to those who need it.

If you or someone you know could benefit from this program, contact the Mayor's Office or Lansing's Human Relations Department.