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

Paula Powers-Watts, Executive Director

Paula Powers-Watts, Executive Director

In 2021, Paula was named Executive Director of Credit Counseling Center.  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 client is a representation of a family whose lives, financial challenges, and needs are important.

She developed and still leads the Center’s Foreclosure Prevention program; and has partnered with the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas Foreclosure Diversion Program.  Her keen focus on making a positive impact in the community has generated numerous program collaborations with the United Way of Bucks County and a multitude of social service organizations in the region.  

Previously, Paula served 21 on Active Duty in the US Air Force.  Initially serving as a combat photographer and finishing the second half of her career as a recruiter, leading to the position of Flight Chief. Highly decorated, she has received awards from the Air Force and the Department of Defense. 

An active leader in the Bucks County community, Paula donates her time annually as a board member for the annual Congressional Service Academy Nomination Interviews under the office of Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick. She is an active Chamber member in Lower Bucks, BucksMont, and Upper Bucks, advocates for financial literacy education opportunities at venues servicing low/moderate income consumers and senior citizen organizations. 

Under Paula’s leadership, the agency continues to grow and develop new programs enhancing the agency’s ability to better serve the community. 

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, Secretary

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

 

Joan Reading, MSW, Founder & Former President

Joan Reading, MSW, Founder & Former President

Joan Reading founded Credit Counseling Center in 1994 and served as the President until her retirement in June 2022.   Under her leadership, the agency evolved into a trusted organization serving thousands of individuals and families with financial literacy services, foreclosure prevention, and homebuyer counseling. 

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