Become a Dana-Farber financial coach

Imagine hearing the words, “You have cancer”.  Now imagine a life full of doctor appointments, numerous tests and fear and wondering if you are going to be ok.  As bad as that all is, imagine losing your job, not being able to pay your rent or mortgage or wondering how you can pay for heat or electricity.  This, is what some of the patients we help deal with on a daily basis.

If you got into this business to help people, the Dana Farber Financial Coaching program may be one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever have.

Responsibility: You will meet with the patient/family to discuss the various strategies to help them. These face-to-face meetings are held at Dana Farber in Boston (parking provided) or at a location that is convenient for you and the patient. Your office, their home or even a Starbucks. Some patients prefer to be helped over the phone and no travel would be involved.

Dana-Farber Financial Coach Training

Next training date: January 26, 2018 at Dana Farber.

Read News Release: Financial coaches help cancer patients at Dana-Farber

You are called to volunteer for a very unique and worthwhile volunteer opportunity! In a collaboration with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, volunteers will provide pro bono education or financial planning to patients and/or their immediate family caregivers who could not otherwise afford a planner. Some of the primary areas of concern for cancer patients and their families include debt, health insurance, government benefits, estate planning, and budgeting. To date, over 300 patients have been matched with coaches!

Participation in this program requires that all pro bono planners attend a full-day training session, sponsored by FPANE and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Food and parking are covered by FPA of MA.

Responsibility: You will meet with the patient/family in person or over the phone to discuss various strategies to help them. Other coaches in the program are available for consultation. Face-to-face meetings can be held at Dana-Farber in Boston (parking provided), its satellite locations in Jamaica Plain, Milford, or Londonderry NH, or another location that is convenient for you and the patient. Your office, their home or even a Starbucks.  Some patients prefer to be helped over the phone and no travel would be involved.

 

Time Commitment: Dependent on patient’s financial circumstances, It could be as little as a 5 minute phone conversation where you would just provide a phone number to a specialist or a face to face or phone meeting ranging from a one-hour initial meeting to several meetings over the course of a few months or up to a year. Sessions can be in person, over the phone, or both.

To sign up, contact the FPA MA Chapter Office at admin@fpama.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  I don’t know anything about debt issues or bankruptcy.  How can I help without being an expert in those areas?

A.  You don’t need to be an expert. We have experts such as debt counselors and bankruptcy attorneys standing by to help.  You involvement might just be to gather some facts and refer them to one of our specialists.

Q.  I’d like to help but am pretty busy between work and family.  How can I help?

A.  for those with limited time, you can be matched with someone with issues that can be resolved with a referral to a specialist (see above) or if travel is an issue for you, we can match you with a patient that prefers help via the phone or email.

Q.  What if feel I need help?

A.  No problem, either contact Rick Fingerman, the liaison of the program at 617-630-4978 or at rick@planwithfps.com or utilize our online “Think tank” where other coaches will give you feedback and help.