The RDG Financial Empowerment Initiative.
RDG Financial Empowerment Initiative believes that financial knowledge is more than just information - it is a pathway to opportunity, stability, and generational growth. Our mission is to help individuals and families gain the confidence, resources, and skills needed to make better informed financial decisions and build a stronger financial future.
RDG stands for Rise, Develop, Growth, which reflects our commitment to meeting people where they are and helping them take meaningful steps towards achieving their financial goals. Whether it is opening their first bank account, building/establishing credit, overcoming financial setbacks, or becoming a first-time homeowner, we provide practical education and personalized support designed to create lasting change.
Our Vision
To create financially empowered communities where every individual has the confidence, knowledge, and opportunity to achieve financial stability, build wealth, and thrive.
Our Mission
To provide accessible financial education, personalized coaching, and community-based support that helps individuals and families rise, develop, and grow into being their best financial selves.
Our Values
Accessibility
We believe financial education and empowerment should be available to everyone, regardless of income, background, or life circumstances.
Empowerment
We equip individuals and families with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to make informed financial decisions and take control of their financial futures.
Integrity
We are committed to providing accurate, unbiased, and ethical guidance that places the best interests of those we serve first.
Growth
Financial success is a journey. We encourage continuous learning, personal development, and progress toward long-term financial well-being.
Community
Lasting change happens when people have support. We foster meaningful connections that encourage accountability, collaboration, and shared success.
Impact
We measure success not by information shared, but by lives changed. Our goal is to create measurable improvements in financial stability, confidence, and opportunity for the individuals and communities we serve.
Meet Reginald Garth
Founder & Executive Director
Financial empowerment is more than a profession for me—it is a mission.
Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of helping individuals and families navigate some of life's most important financial decisions. From establishing a first bank account and building credit to preparing for homeownership and creating sustainable financial goals, I have seen firsthand how access to financial education and support can transform lives.
As a National Association of Certified Credit Counselors (NACCC) Certified Credit Counselor, I bring both professional expertise and a practical, people-centered approach to financial empowerment. For more than six years, I worked directly with individuals and families through a municipal financial empowerment program, helping people strengthen their financial foundations, improve their credit, increase savings, reduce debt, and build pathways toward long-term financial stability.
During that time, I helped aspiring homeowners prepare for homeownership, guided individuals through credit recovery and financial rebuilding, supported community members in establishing banking relationships, and worked with justice-involved individuals seeking to create new financial opportunities after reentering the community. These experiences reinforced a simple truth: financial education and empowerment are not equally accessible to everyone, yet they have the power to create lasting change.
That belief inspired the creation of RDG Financial Empowerment Initiative.
RDG stands for Rise. Develop. Grow. These three words represent the journey that every individual deserves the opportunity to take regardless of where they start financially. Through education, coaching, and community support, RDG exists to help people build confidence, make informed financial decisions, and move toward their goals with purpose.
RDG Financial Empowerment Initiative partners with individuals, families, community organizations, employers, financial institutions, and nonprofits to expand access to practical financial education and coaching. Our goal is not simply to teach financial concepts, but to empower people with the tools, knowledge, and support needed to create stronger financial futures.
Because everyone deserves the opportunity to Rise. Develop. Grow. into their best financial self.
Financial decisions impact nearly every aspect of life, yet many people are expected to navigate credit, banking, budgeting, debt, savings, and homeownership without access to practical financial education or trusted guidance.
The result is not a lack of potential—it is often a lack of opportunity, information, and support.
RDG Financial Empowerment Initiative exists to help close that gap.
Why RDG Matters
At RDG, we are committed to helping people rise above financial challenges, develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed, and grow toward lasting financial well-being.
Financial empowerment should not be a privilege—it should be an opportunity for everyone.