Steve Napier has noticed a trend in the clientele he serves as program director at the nonprofit Action Ministries-Gainesville. More and more of their problems stem back to one issue - mismanagement of money.

That's one of the reasons Napier is working with the financial planning nonprofit CredAbility to offer a free money counseling class in Gainesville.

"We've seen more and more cases where the underlying issue is management of credit, management of finances," Napier said.

The six-week financial planning class, being funded through a grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, will begin May 10. The seminar will include six one-hour classes as well as a one-on-one counseling session.

CredAbility instructor Lisa Ray said the class will cover goal setting, money management and credit maintenance
or improvement.

"Sometimes it just helps to get back to basics," she said. "This will kind of get you in line with your financial goals of what you want to accomplish."

This will be the second seminar offered by CredAbility in Gainesville. Ray said there has been an increase in requests for financial planning courses in the Hall County area and CredAbility plans to hold more in the future, including one in July funded by the city of Gainesville.

Action Ministries-Gainesville will offer free child care during the Tuesday night classes as well as provide dinner before each session. The seminar is open to men and women, and there is no charge. Seats are still available.

Napier said the previous CredAbility class in Gainesville was well received, and he's hopeful this seminar will help those who are struggling with their finances as well as those who just need a refresher on basic money matters.

"I hope that people will take the class and move to the next level, whatever that might be," he said.