Cumberland, Warwick and East Providence Libraries to host free financial learning opportunities
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – General Treasurer Gina M. Raimondo today, as part of Financial Literacy Month, announced the start of a financial empowerment library tour. Each stop of the tour is designed to highlight a different component of personal financial management, including understanding your credit score, managing your debt and developing a budget.
"My office is always looking for innovative ways to help Rhode Islanders become financially empowered," Raimondo said. "This program brings free financial education directly to our neighborhoods through local libraries. By providing a place for people to safely learn about their finances, I believe we can move our state forward one person at a time. "
Volunteers and staff from the Capital Good Fund, a nonprofit that provides personal financial coaching and innovative microloans, will present at these events. The organization is Treasury's partner for the Rhode Island Financial Coaching Corps, a program of Treasury's Empower RI initiative. The goal of the Corps is to match volunteers with financial skills and know-how with Rhode Islanders looking to learn how to make their money work for them. Their mission is to empower Rhode Islanders to take charge of their finances.
"Corps members are trained volunteers – active and retired financial planners, accountants and bankers – who donate their time by working with Rhode Islanders to improve their financial situation," said Andy Posner, Executive Director of the Capital Good Fund. "We are pleased to bring our innovative financial education model to local libraries."
So far, three dates have been set for the financial education series:
April 24, 2013 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Cumberland Library 1464 Diamond Hill Road Cumberland, Rhode Island Registration contact: Melissa Chiavaroli 401-333-2552 ext. 2 or reference@cumberlandlibrary.org
This event is part of Money Smart Week, a public awareness campaign designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances. The April 24 program will focus on credit. Participants will learn about their credit score, credit report, and the best ways to build and maintain their credit. Participants may sign up for free one-on-one coaching at the conclusion of the event. Registration is recommended.
May 7, 2013 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. Warwick Library 600 Sandy Lane Warwick, RI 02889 Registration Contact: Jessica D'Avanza 401-739-5440 This event is part of the Warwick Library's Home Economics series, Get on the Road to Financial Stability. This session will cover banking, budgeting, credit, debt, saving, and setting financial goals. Participants may sign up for free one-on-one coaching at the conclusion of the event. Registration is recommended. Sign up at: www.warwicklibrary.org.
June 10, 2013 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. East Providence Public Library Weaver Library 41 Grove Avenue East Providence, RI 02914 Registration Contact: Joyce May 401-434-2453 Attendees have the option of attending a presentation that will cover the topics of budgeting, credit and debt or may participate in a free one-on-one budgeting session with a Financial Coaching Corps member. Registration is recommended.
The Treasurer's office will promote these events on Twitter using the hashtag #EmpowerRI.
Watch for more local library program announcements in the coming months.
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