Our Focus

Historically, low and moderate income communities throughout Deep East Texas have struggled to access financial opportunities. That's why we exist, to help these communities achieve financial stability and establish wealth for future generations.

Legacy Institute FOC

Overview

LIFE's Financial Opportunity Center (FOC), provides free services like financial counseling and support for the low to moderate income population of Deep East Texas to achieve financial stability

Register

Financial Coaching

  • 1-on-1 Financial Coaching
  • Assets Building Programs
  • Credit Builder Savings Account by Self.

Friendly Support

Our support team is available every day to ensure that things run smoothly. You'll always find the help you need!


Employment & Career Coaching

  • 1-on-1 Career Planning
  • Resume Writing
  • Mock Interviews
  • Access to Employer Partners



Public Benefits Eligibility Assistance

  • On-site Assistance
  • HHSC Application Assistance
  • Referrals to Public Benefits
  • Emergency Assistance


Banking Partners

The Wazo Project Logo

Overview

The Wazo Project is designed to support local entrepreneurs as they pursue their dream. This project is also an avenue for local entrepreneurs to gain access to resources as they develop and capitalize on their wazos (thoughts).

Register
Register

Overview

The LIFE Empowerment Fund (LEF) is designed to address the lack of access to capital in Rural East Texas. The fund is also able to assist with the community's need to increase their credit scores through credit builder loans. 

Next Chapter Logo with Arrow Behind

Legacy's Apprenticeship Program allows you to build a career in the industry of your choice that is offered through LIFE. This will allow individuals to sustain a career that is long-lasting stability for their families and loved ones. A sense of stability can also give individuals self-reliance to stay employed for longevity. Our Apprenticeship Program could possibly build quality employees’ that employers are looking for and striving to hire. 

Next Chapter is an employment training Program that provides: 

  • Soft Skills Training 
  • Registered Apprenticeships 
  • Job Placement 
  • Possibility of access to Second Chance Employers 
  • Employment Coaching (Resume writing and mock interviews) 
  • Gain valuable paid career work experience 

Gain valuable paid career work experience through one of our apprenticeship programs:

  • IT Career Field – CompTIA Certifications 
  • ​Carpentry – NCCER Certification 
  • Organic Gardening – Mulching, fertilizing, seeding, picking harvest   



Interested in a career in IT?

Our Mission

We are an organization dedicated to shaping the next generation of IT technicians in Deep East Texas. Our comprehensive range of services includes apprenticeship programs, training courses, and digital services for the public. As a social enterprise operating under The Legacy Institute for Financial Education, we are committed to providing top-notch tech education while giving back to our community.

Shape your IT Career!

What kind of certifications? and how will they help?

At LIFE Tech, we believe in your potential. Our certification programs, include CompTIA and Google certifications, are designed to empower you to take charge of your career. With flexible, self-paced learning options, you can master the fundamental concepts at your own speed.

What would I be doing for Hands-on Experience?

LIFE Tech offers a unique hands-on experience like no other. Dive into the world of technology by disassembling and assembling computers donated by local IT companies. Learn about every component, understand how they work, and distinguish between good and outdated parts. Our program equips you with practical skills to evaluate and refurbish computers!

What would an internship do for me?

At LIFE Tech, we don't just stop at learning - we help you launch your career. Our network of employer partners is eager to offer paid internships where you can apply your knowledge, earn a paycheck, and gain invaluable real-world experience. These internships not only provide an income but also open doors for additional certifications and professional growth

Lufkin Urban Garden & Market

Mission

The Lufkin Urban Garden & Market will serve as both a community garden and market in one of many food deserts in the city. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for families by implementing sustainable agricultural practices, create jobs and volunteer opportunities, and increase community involvement and support. We hope to be a place used to address social, economic, and environmental disparities and a couple of the ways we do that is by accepting SNAP EBT payments and hiring marginalized members of the community due to age or background.

Fresh Seasonal Produce

The garden will supply fresh produce, available at 805 Sayers St. week days and the local farmers’ market on weekends, and distributed throughout the community to households in need through various community organizations. It stands as a tangible demonstration of diverse, alternative regenerative farming techniques aimed at producing food that is not only better tasting but also more nutrient-dense. We warmly invite community members to visit and experience the garden firsthand. Additionally, those looking to contribute their time and energy are encouraged to join us as 'garden worker bees,' playing a pivotal role in our shared vision of sustainable and inclusive growth.


Certifications

At LIFE Farms, we empower individuals with practical skills and knowledge through our diverse certification programs. From customer service and sustainable agriculture to manufacturing and logistics, our training equips you for success in today's dynamic job market.


  • NRF Foundation RISE Up Credentials in Customer Service & Sales
  • Certified Manufacturing Associate (CMfgA) Certification
  • Roots of Success Environmental Education & Job Training Program
  • NRF Foundation RISE Up Credentials in Individual Warehouse Inventory & Logistics
  • Organic Farmer Certificate Course

Join Our Community Compost Initiative

Transform your organic waste into community treasure with our Community Compost Initiative. Participate at no cost, reduce environmental impact, and gain recognition for your sustainable practices. Join us in enriching our community garden and showcasing your commitment to a greener future. Call us at 936-209-8217 or email aceasar@legacy-institute.org to schedule your drop-off and become a valued partner today.

Go to Sharewaste

Location: 805 Sayers St, Lufkin, Texas, 75904

Hours: Monday - Friday 8am-5pm

Sat-Appointment only

Phone: (936) 209-2085

Cryptocurrency: The Money of the Future

Digital Currency Initiative

Our role as financial educators is to empower our community with knowledge that would allow them to make sound decisions regarding their finances. With the rise in popularity of digital currencies, we simply want to ensure those members of our community who wish to participate can do so with the least amount of risk possible. 

We have designed a course that will provide a broad scope of information ranging from what is digital currency to trading strategies and the differences between a proof-of-stake (PoS) reward system and a proof-of-work (PoW) system.


Coinbase is the world's most trusted cryptocurrency exchange. To date, they have never been hacked. Coinbase secures customer digital currency through a combination of secure, online servers and offline (“cold”) storage. Coinbase maintains 98% or more of customer digital currency in cold storage, with the remainder in secure online servers as necessary to serve the liquidity needs of our customers.


Coinbase maintains commercial criminal insurance in an aggregate amount that is greater than the value of digital currency they maintain in online storage. Their insurance policy is made available through a combination of third-party insurance underwriters and Coinbase, who is a co-insurer under the policy.


The policy insures against theft of digital currency that results from a security breach or hack, employee theft, or fraudulent transfer.

Learn More

Legacy Institute for Financial Education (LIFE) offers supporters with cryptocurrency the ability to support the organization in a tax-efficient way. The IRS classifies cryptocurrency donations as property, meaning they are not subject to capital gains tax and are tax deductible. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. For example, for donors in the United States, the IRS has classified Bitcoin as property for tax purposes. This means that when you donate Bitcoin to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit like LIFE, you do not have to pay capital gains tax and it is tax deductible if you provide your email address. *Please consult your tax advisor. You can donate anonymously but you will not receive a tax receipt.


Our Digital Currency Services

Save Time

With our experience and curriculum, we can shorten your learning curve.

Coin Knowledge

Don't know the difference between Bitcoin and Ethereum? Don't worry! We can explain the difference between the major digital currencies and their use cases.

Secure Participation

We are able to show you how to own digital currencies securely. Whether it is cold storage or hot storage, you want to know your digital currencies are stored with the maximum levels of security.

Digital Currencies as Payment

Do you own a business and want to accept digital currencies as payment? We can help set you up with our vetted network of partners to get you online.

View the price of each major digital currency by total market weight.

Stay current on all major digital currency news!