Dedicated to Your Financial Success
Credit Counseling Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit HUD approved comprehensive Housing Counseling Agency. Since 1994, we have had a rich history working diligently to provide financial literacy and educational services to Pennsylvanians.
Our Mission
We are dedicated to equipping consumers with financial knowledge and imparting effective habits, to instill the confidence necessary for achieving long-term financial success.
Our Vision
Credit Counseling Center is a trusted industry leader providing innovative, quality services resulting in effective solutions for individuals and families.
Our Leadership Team
Paula Powers-Watts, Executive Director
In 2021, Paula was named Executive Director of CCC. She joined the organization in 2008 as a Credit Counselor and was quickly promoted to Director of Housing Counseling in 2009. Paula is a firm believer that each and every client is a representation of a family whose lives, financial challenges, and needs are important.
She developed and led the Center’s Foreclosure Prevention; and has partnered with the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas Foreclosure Diversion Program.
Previously, Paula served 21 years as an Active Duty Air Force recruiter, leading to the position of Flight Chief. Highly decorated, she has received awards from the Air Force and the Department of Defense.
Joan Reading, MSW, Founder & Former President
Joan founded the CCC in 1994. Since then she’s led a dedicated team that acts as a catalyst for economic mobility for every individual and family it serves.
She is a graduate of Rutgers University, where she gained her M.S.W. (Masters of Social Work).
In 1989, five years prior to establishing the CCC, Joan started the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Delaware Valley. An active leader in the Bucks County community, Joan donates her time and leadership to various social service organizations including serving on the Housing Continuum of Care Bucks County, Reentry Coalition, Bucks-Montgomery Collaborative, Direct Services Coalition and is proud to collaborate and support United Way of Bucks County and our member agencies.
Board of Directors
Ryan Fuller, Chairman of the Board
GMG Insurance Agency
Langhorne, PA
Anne Berlin, CPA, Treasurer
Consultant
Langhorne, PA
David Breidinger
Breidinger & Associates
Newtown, PA
Bradford Connard
GreenDrop, LLC
Doylestown, PA
Lisa Folks
PNC Bank
Camden, NJ
Andrew Griffin
Curtin & Heefner, Attorneys at Law
Morrisville, PA
Larry Grant – CPA
Aurum Consultants
Newtown, PA
Aret Kalayjian
Univest
Doylestown, PA
Thomas Maclin
C&N Bank
Doylestown, PA
Terri Reif
Penn Community Bank
Doylestown, PA
Anne Slifer, SHRM-SCP
HRCI-SPHR
Ottsville, PA
Michael C. Sullivan, Jr.
Fulton Bank, N.A.
Yardley, PA
Robert Szwajkos
Curtin & Heefner, Attorneys at Law
Morrisville, PA
28 years of history in Bucks County and beyond
The history of CCC is a story of evolution and perpetual transformation. Beginning in 1994, CCC has been designed and remodeled over the years in response to the changing needs of consumer’s responsiveness to personnel finance.
Notable Milestones
1994 | The non-profit Credit Counseling Center founded by Joan Reading, MSW, in Richboro, PA.
2002 | CCC became member agency of United Way of Bucks County
2002 | CCC became accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Children and Family Services (COA) and continues to maintain accreditation.
2004 | CCC is approved by Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency to provide housing counseling services including Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program.
2005 | CCC is approved by the Bucks County Department of Community & Business Development to provide homebuyer education and assistance program.
2005 | CCC is approved by the Executive Office for United States Trustees (EOUST) to provide pre-filing bankruptcy counseling and pre-discharge education in compliance with the Bankruptcy Code in all 50 states.
2007 | CCC is approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to deliver housing counseling services, including Foreclosure Prevention and homebuyer education.
2009 | CCC partners with the Courts of Common Pleas for the County of Bucks, Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Program to provide Foreclosure Prevention.
2014 | CCC named Best Agency by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.
2020 | CCC contracted with the Bucks County Department of Housing and Community Development to provide Cares Foreclosure Prevention Services.
2022 | CCC approved by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund (PAHAF) to assist Pennsylvania homeowners facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
CCC is a nonprofit community service organization which serves families and individuals regardless of race, creed, sex, color or income level. 501(c)(3) 23-2754268
76% of the client we serve are low/moderate income. We collect from our intake forms, documenting address, income, paystubs, credit reports, tax returns, child support, social security, etc. using the HUD Area medium income data for Bucks County, PA to determine LMI.
CCC is not a lending institution. We are guided by a volunteer board from various businesses and professions
CCC in the News
Local Partners “LIFT” Community With Financial Stability Program
Credit Counseling Center is a partner in a new pilot financial stability program called LIFT United, focusing on reliable transportation and Low Interest Car Loans. along with United Way of Bucks County, Penn Community Bank, and the County of Bucks. LIFT United aims...
New Live Webinar Building and Sustaining Great Credit – Understanding the 3 C’s
A Credit Counseling Center Webinar Workshop in partnership with the United Way of Bucks County’s LIFT programCredit is a contractual agreement in which a borrower receives something of value immediately and agrees to pay for it later, usually with interest. By...
Thank you to everyone who attended our 2022 Gala!
Thank you to everyone who attended our 2022 Gala & Silent Auction on May 19 at Spring Mill Country Club. The evening was wonderful as we wished our founder Joan Reading, MSW, a well-deserved happy retirement. Congratulations to our board of directors, staff...
