the problem
A Different Starting Point
Financial literacy efforts often fall short — not because the information is wrong, but because it arrives at the wrong time.
Unlocking Financial Wellbeing.
Confidential · Structured · Member-First
Structured, confidential financial guidance designed specifically for union members. Not a product — a benefit.
Exclusively for Members
A Benefit Designed for Union Members
As a union member, you have access to something that isn’t widely available — personal, structured financial guidance designed specifically for you.
This work exists to support members in a way that feels approachable, relevant, and grounded in real life — not overwhelming, not theoretical.
Timing Mismatch
Too often, conversations begin with long-term topics like pensions instead of day-to-day financial stability.
Theory Over Practice
Stress reduces our ability to process complex plans. We acknowledge the emotional side first.
Bandwidth Blind Spot
They assume people have the time and energy to process it all — when reality says otherwise.
The information isn't wrong — it's just arriving too early.
the approach
What This Is
Unlocking Financial Wellbeing was designed specifically for people who feel overwhelmed, not undereducated. This approach is intentionally simple and structured:
Self-paced learning— so you can engage when it works for you
Group coaching— that creates accountability, support, and shared momentum
A defined start and finish— so it feels manageable, not open-ended
the evidence
Why This Approach Works
Three principles shape every cohort — drawn from years of work inside union plans and the lived realities of the members they serve.
Stability Before Retirement
You can’t build long-term financial engagement on short-term financial pressure. This work focuses on creating stability first — so everything else becomes easier to engage with over time.
Practice Over Information
Most people don’t need more information — they need a way to apply it. Research shows adults retain far more when they practice with support than when they simply listen.
A Bridge, Not a Detour
Financial wellbeing is not separate from long-term benefits — it supports them. Financial wellbeing is the on-ramp to pensions, not a distraction from them.
The Structure
How the Program Works
A structured partnership between union leadership and members — grocery workers, trades, and labor families — designed to be simple, safe, and effective.
step 1
Union Sponsorship
Leadership identifies the need and fully sponsors the program. No cost to members — just access to something genuinely valuable.
step 2
Member Participation
Members join voluntary, confidential cohorts. A safe space to learn together, ask real questions, and find footing without judgment.
step 3
Structured Growth
A fixed 6-week series builds real capability and stability, step by step — practical tools that translate into everyday life.
step 3
Built with Intention
This approach was built from years of working in institutional investment and understanding the long-term value of pension plans and retirement benefits — especially within union environments where those benefits are hard-earned and deeply meaningful.
Through that work, I’ve seen firsthand how well-designed retirement systems can support a secure future. But I’ve also seen the disconnect that can exist between those long-term benefits and the day-to-day financial realities many people face.
In conversations with union leaders, one theme consistently comes up: members have access to strong benefits — but often lack the support needed to fully engage with them.
This program is designed to bridge that gap.
By first stabilizing day-to-day finances and building confidence in managing money, members are better positioned to understand, value, and fully participate in the long-term benefits available to them — ultimately supporting a path toward retirement with dignity.
Stability first. Benefits second.
Financial wellbeing today is the on-ramp to the retirement members have earned tomorrow.
How We Begin
A Thoughtful, Measured Approach
This is not designed as a broad rollout — it begins intentionally, with a small number of participating locals, a defined timeframe, and a focus on learning and refining together.
success is measured by
Participation
Increased engagement
Stress
Reduced avoidance
Confidence
Benefits interaction
for you
A More Supportive Way Forward
This is a benefit available to you through your union — designed with care, intention, and respect for your time and experience.
There’s no pressure, no complexity — just a structured way to feel more grounded, more confident, and more in control of your financial wellbeing.
fit check
Who This Is For
A quick honest check — so members know exactly what to expect, and what this program isn’t trying to be.
For You If…
- You're a union member or family member — including grocery store workers, trades, and labor families
- A defined timeframe (typically six months)
- A focus on learning and refining together
No Sales. Ever.
No insurance sales
No investment products
No upselling
No hidden fees
meet your coach
Traci Dority-Shanklin
Financial Wellness Coach · Institutional Investment Professional · Advocate for Financial Wellbeing in the Labor Community
Hi, I’m here to walk alongside you — not to lecture, not to judge, but to help you find your footing. I’ve spent years working with union families, including grocery store workers and trades, and I know that real change happens when people feel safe enough to be honest about where they are.
“My job isn’t to give you all the answers. It’s to help you ask better questions.”
common questions
Frequently Asked
A quick honest check — so members know exactly what to expect, and what this program isn’t trying to be.
No. Unlocking Financial Wellbeing provides union-sponsored financial education and coaching, not investment or advisory services. Our focus is helping union members gain clarity, reduce stress, and build practical money habits that align with their values.
This program is designed specifically for union members and their families who want to feel more confident and in control of their finances — whether you’re living paycheck to paycheck or simply want more clarity and direction.
This isn’t about strict budgets or financial shame. It’s about values-based financial wellbeing — helping you align your money with what matters most, plan for real-life expenses, and build sustainable habits that work for your life.
Yes. All conversations and participation are confidential and private. This education is provided as a benefit through union support, but your personal financial information is never shared.
You’ll gain a clearer understanding of where your money is going, a plan for handling predictable “unexpected” expenses, tools to reduce debt stress and paycheck pressure, and more confidence and less avoidance around money. Most importantly, you’ll walk away feeling supported — not judged.
A typical cohort runs for six to eight weeks with a defined start and end date. This intentional structure keeps things manageable and focused, so it never feels open-ended.
No. This program is fully sponsored by union leadership. There is no cost, no upselling, and no hidden fees. It is an education initiative, not a sales funnel.
Bring this program to your local.
We partner directly with leadership to design pilot programs that fit your members’ specific needs — confidential, member-first, and built on real trust.
Start the Conversation
Whether you’re a union member curious about the program, or a leader looking to bring this benefit to your local — we’d love to hear from you. No pressure, no complexity.
Phone
(310) 418-2433
BASED IN
Serving union locals nationwide
A union-sponsored financial education initiative designed to support members and their families with dignity, clarity, and care.
© 2026 Unlocking Financial Wellbeing. All rights reserved.
Not a financial advisory firm. Education only