A financial—and aspirational—coaching kit that focuses on milestones first, and gets to money later.
The language used around finances is rarely aspirational—in fact, it's inaccessible. We wanted to make financial coaching an experience people could really relate to. MEDA, a financial services nonprofit that works with low-income, Latinx families in the Mission District of San Francisco, partnered with IDEO.org to help clients plan for their future in a reflective, confidence building way. Finances can feel jargon-y and dry for coaches and clients alike. It is often easier to talk about life aspirations, like getting a job, starting a business, or parenting, than it is to set financial goals— the Viva Toolkit is designed to link the two.
We leveraged MEDA’s existing expertise and DISC coaching model to create a framework and coaching experience that drives client action. It is fresh take on an otherwise intimidating ritual. A spinner with story cards outlines how real-life dreams relate to debt, income, savings, and credit (DISC). A set of aspiration cards pose information for each of the four areas. There are also action plans and journey worksheets that embed reflection into the coaching workflow for a more holistic experience.
Giving the space to pause and reflect—and the support to do so—makes for richer insights, motivations, and actionable next steps. MEDA clients are able to project themselves, understand the “why,” and take small steps towards building their future.