Financial Pathways of the Piedmont

10/15/2026

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of one FPP’s own, our dear colleague and friend, Melissa Smrdel. Who passed away on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

For more than three and a half years, Melissa was a valued part of the Financial Pathways of the Piedmont family. Through her work in the Representative Payee Program, she touched the lives of clients and colleagues with her compassion, dependability, and genuine care for others. She made a lasting difference, and she will be deeply missed.

In honor of the heart she brought to her work and the people around her, our agency’s Heart Performer Award will now be known as the Melissa Smrdel Heart Performer Award. Her mother came to our office to accept this quarter's award dedicated to Melissa.

Her legacy will live on through this recognition for years to come.

Our thoughts and love are with Melissa’s mother, Donna, her loved ones, and everyone grieving this loss. A private Celebration of Life will take place this Saturday, October 17, 2026.

Melissa, thank you for being part of our family. You will always be remembered, and you will never be forgotten. ❤️

With love and remembrance,
Financial Pathways of the Piedmont

10/05/2026

Thank you, Winston-Salem Regional Association of REALTORS for leading this effort to host an amazing event benefitting our Center for Homeowneship!

10/05/2026

Our Taste of Homeownership Event was a huge success. Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, First National Bank for helping us advance affordable homeownership!

09/28/2026

🎓🏡 Celebrating our 2026 Homebuyers Club Graduates! 🏡🎓

This past Saturday was a day worth celebrating! We had the honor of recognizing our 2026 Homebuyers Club Cohort and all they have accomplished on their journeys toward homeownership. 🎉

Throughout the program, participants have worked hard to improve their credit, build savings, reduce debt, and increase their knowledge and confidence in navigating the homebuying process. Every step represents progress toward greater financial stability and the dream of owning a home. 💙

And the impact keeps growing! Across our 2025 and 2026 Homebuyers Club cohorts, 11 families have officially closed on homes, with many more participants becoming mortgage-ready and moving closer to achieving their homeownership goals! 🔑🏠

👏 Congratulations to our 2026 graduates! We are incredibly proud of your hard work, commitment, and determination—and we can’t wait to see what comes next.

✨ Dreaming of becoming a first-time homebuyer? Your journey could be next!

📅 SAVE THE DATE: Our 2027 Homebuyers Club Kickoff Brunch is scheduled for November 14!

Reserve your spot today: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/sDKtT6NYhP 🏡✨

09/21/2026

Are you saving enough for retirement?

According to an AARP study, "1 in 5 Americans Ages 50+ have no retirement savings and over half worry the will not have enough to last in retirement" (AARP Press Team, 2024).

No matter what age you are, you still have time to save!

Join our Financial Education Workshop this Wednesday 9/23 at 12pm on Retirement Basics for Working Adults presented by Winn Fuller of Bank OZK to see what you can do to make sure you prepare today for long lasting financial wellbeing.

Register for the session here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/EXyT2zD8BF
Or
Join directly on zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81938454282

09/17/2026

Raffle Baskets are arriving for our Taste of Homeownership Event happening Thursday, October 1, from 5:30pm to 7pm at Footnote Coffee & Cocktails!

If you have the dream of owning a home or are a helper in the affordable housing space in our community, please join us for an evening of complimentary food, drinks, networking and of course, resources for affordable homeownership.

Register to attend here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/financialpathwaysofthepiedmont/event/tasteofhomeownership2026/

08/27/2026

New Blog post alert: Please read our conversation with Karen Tilley at Carter Bank on the importance of understanding and building credit. You can read the post here: https://fromtheheartgreenchair.blogspot.com/2026/08/building-credit-building-confidence.html

08/26/2026

Shout out to Phyllis Caldwell-George! Thank you, Forsyth Woman and Forsyth Family Magazines for this special spotlight!

It's "Women on the Move" Wednesday!💃💕

We’re thrilled to spotlight these incredible women in our August issue of Forsyth Woman Magazine!

💗 Brandi Lankford
💗 Diana James
💗 Abby Atwell
💗 Kristin Kling
💗 Phyllis Caldwell-George

Find the full feature at the link in our comments.
—
If you are interested in submitting yourself or someone you know for a future Women on the Move feature, visit our online application link here: TinyURL.com/ForsythWomanWOM

08/25/2026

Join us tomorrow Wednesday, August 26, for our August Financial Education Workshop at 12PM

It's not too early to start creating your plan for saving and spending for the holidays!

Kelly Kliman, our Outreach and Education Coordinator will be presenting and sharing her immense knowledge and experience.

You can join here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81938454282

08/23/2026

We had a great time at Phi Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated’s Community Day! Our organization was recognized as the 2026 “Building Our Economic Wealth” award recipient. We are so grateful for this recognition and for every partnership in our community who stands in the gap with us each and every day to make sure everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Congratulations to all the award recipients!