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February 2010
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Vol 2, Issue 2 | |
The Compass
For Asset Development
Professionals
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| Welcome! |
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The Compass, an e-newsletter channel for asset development practitioners, was created to highlight training opportunities, best practices and new or ongoing programs. Its aim is to build a stronger network of services for Baltimore's working families by connecting all of the work we do. We look forward to seeing your organization's contributions in future issues. |
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Tell the asset building community what your organization is doing. Email your article and photos to The Compass!
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National Census Day
April 1, 2010 | |
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 Get your taxes prepared at PNC Bank (12 E. 25th St.) or at University of Maryland Tax Clinic (500 W. Baltimore St. Suite 360) tax sites, and you can get your tax refund checks cashed at PNC Bank for FREE!
Participating Branches: Hopkins Plaza Branch, Charles Village Branch, Paca Street Branch, and Uptown Branch
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| Tax Season Kick-Off Press Event |
 On Tuesday, January 26, 2010, the annual tax season kick-off press event was held at the Greater Baltimore Urban League. The Urban League is a new free tax preparation site this year for the Baltimore CASH Campaign. The event highlighted the importance of free tax preparation services being offered throughout the city. Congressmen Cummings and Sarbanes, Comptroller Franchot, and Mayor Rawlings-Blake helped Baltimore CASH Campaign's Joanna Smith-Ramani announce free tax preparation services for low-income working families in Baltimore and revealed several new locations for the community tax sites. The Campaign aims to prepare more than 16,000 tax returns resulting in over $25 million in refunds to working families in Baltimore. Over the past 9 years, more than 51,000 people have received free tax preparation services, bringing over $80 million back to low-income residents in Baltimore City and Baltimore County.
The press event took place the same week as the National Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day (January 29, 2010). The Campaign targets low-income working families who are eligible for the federal and state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) because these families are most often targeted by commercial tax preparers who sell high-cost refund anticipation loans, or RALs. Along with providing free tax preparation services, the Mayor, Congressmen, Comptroller, and the CASH Campaign aim to put a dent in the estimated $29 million of EITC benefits that go unclaimed by eligible City residents.
There are new asset building opportunities this year for low-income families in Baltimore. For the first time, anyone can purchase U.S. Savings Bonds on tax form 8888 this year. Additionally, new volunteers, Financial Resource Volunteers, are located at select tax sites to help families with additional financial services: FAFSA/financial aid filing assistance, prepaid debit cards, savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and more!
The Baltimore CASH Campaign looks forward to the start of a new tax season! The first tax client at the Greater Baltimore Urban League spoke at the press event directly after receiving free tax preparation. She expressed gratitude for the service which is conveniently located near her home and which helped her receive all the tax credits she deserves.
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| Roll in the Dough Savings Campaign - Feb. 22 through March 6, 2010 |
For two weeks, February 22 to March 6, 2010, the Roll in the Dough Campaign encourages people to start saving. It kicks off during America Saves Week. After the financial crisis, it has become apparent that Americans need to focus on saving. By saving, people can reduce their debt, build wealth, and reach financial stability. During the two weeks, individuals can deposit money into a new or existing saving account at one of the participating banks or credit unions. They can then enter a drawing to win a $1,000 certificate of deposit. People of all ages and income levels are encouraged to develop good saving habits. A little bit of saving can go a long way. Click here to follow the Roll in the Dough Campaign on facebook. For more information about "Roll in the Dough", visit www.maryland-saves.org or contact Joan Lok, Campaign Chair, jlok@fdic.gov, 410-872-9024 x 4032. |
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 The Maryland CASH Campaign is proud to announce the launching of its new program, the Maryland CASH Academy. The Maryland CASH Academy is an online statewide financial education network Maryland residents can use to locate financial education classes. The new Maryland CASH Academy website will be available by late February. In the meantime, keep checking Maryland CASH Campaign's website for updates at www.mdcash.org.
Currently, the Maryland CASH Academy is partnering with the Baltimore CASH Campaign, the Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Maryland and Delaware, the Greater Baltimore Urban League, SECU, and the Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore. Maryland CASH wants to partner with organizations throughout the state that will be offering financial education courses in 2010. If your organization partners with the Maryland CASH Academy you will benefit from free marketing for your classes, easy student registration, increased enrollment, and online tools for educators.
If your organization is interested in partnering with the Maryland CASH Academy, or if you have any questions about the CASH Academy, please contact:
Zakia Abukhdeir, Maryland CASH Campaign by phone (410-528-8006, Ext. 820) or email ( zakia@mdcash.org). |
Pursuit of the Dream: Building Credit for Life
A Screening and Panel Discussion |
The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Baltimore CASH Campaign, Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition, and Maryland CASH Campaign sponsored a screening of the documentary, Pursuit of the Dream: Building Credit for Life on January 6th. Families told their life stories about trying to establish good credit. Credit scores are extremely important in order to obtain credit, loans, and mortgages. The documentary helps showcase the importance of community lenders and nonprofit organizations helping low and moderate income families improve their credit histories. The Annie E. Casey Foundation produced this third film as part of a series on how low-income individuals can save money and build up assets.
A panel discussion followed the screening of the documentary. It included: Irene Skricki, Senior Associate, Annie E. Casey Foundation; Vikki Frank, Executive Director, Credit Builders Alliance; Jim Godfrey, President and CEO, Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Maryland and Delaware; and Robin McKinney, Director, Maryland CASH Campaign. The members of the panel discussed the importance of helping individuals build credit, how credit scores are used in the country, and public policy surrounding credit. Click here to order the DVD. |
| CareerPathways: Open Positions |
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Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake
Case Manager, Financial Wellness: Working primarily with Goodwill employee population, the Case Manager for Financial Wellness is responsible for providing basic literacy training, counseling on available programs and options, conducting financial assessments, and connects employees to resources to improve financial status
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Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore
Education Manager/Homeownership Advisor: qualified candidates should be comfortable facilitating workshops and providing individual counseling sessions. Candidate must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Must be energetic, team player, creative and work with a diverse group of Maryland residents. Prior experiences as a housing counselor, or experience in the areas of mortgage lending and real estate is required. The Education Manager is responsible for the development, delivery, advancement, and sustainability of all NHSB consumer education services. In addition, the Manager is responsible for facilitating comprehensive education classes in the Homebuyer Education Department.
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United Way of Central Maryland
Resource Specialist:
You will be actively engaged and involved in developing and ensuring the accuracy, consistency and integrity of a comprehensive database for Marylanders. Our information and referral specialists use this resource database to direct callers seeking help to the right services in their area. The database is also available on the Internet. The database has nearly 4200 program listings, including services on basic needs, physical and mental health resources, employment services, support for children, youth and families, and volunteer opportunities.
You will use your expertise to synthesize information gathered from service providers into concise, objectively written descriptions for the resource database. If you have an analytical mind, possess excellent writing and editing skills, can make presentations to diverse audiences, and love to network, then this is the job for you.
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Humanim
SOS Site Coordinator-WorkFirst: Work First has an immediate opening for an SOS Site Coordinator. This position is a result of a grant recently awarded to humanism to replicate our highly regarded Start On Success (SOS) program in Harford County. The SOS program is an innovative program which assists high school students with disabilities in transitioning from high school to the world of work. Site Coordinator duties include providing career assessments, job development, training, recruitment and coordinating all aspects of student internships at the Upper Chesapeake Medical Center. The ideal candidate must be able to effectively interact with DORS counselors, teachers, employers, students and family members. Requirements include excellent written and verbal skills, experience working with youth and/or disabilities, the ability to excel in a fast-paced environment. A personal vehicle is required for this position. A Bachelor's degree is preferred, although equivalent experience will be considered. Preference will be given to residents of Harford County and/or applicants who are familiar with the Harford County region. For more details: click here
Please email resume & cover letter with salary requirement to jobs@humanim.com. Also please indicate the position title in the subject line. |
| Ability Bank: Upcoming Trainings and Events |
BGE Smart Energy Savers Program & Maryland Public Service Comission
A Lunch and Learn session to review programs that can help your clients reduce energy use and thus their energy costs through energy efficiency and conservation programs
Date: February 23, 2010
Time: 11:30am-2:00pm
Location: Baltimore Gas and Electric Co.
Rutherford Business Center South
7225 Windsor Boulevard
Windsor Mill, MD 21244
Free back-in parking available on-site and lunch will be served.
RSVP: Deborah.B.Hossler@BGE.com or 410-470-1233 by 2/10/2010 if Baltimore County Schools are closed or closing early, will be held on Thursday, 2/25/2010
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Self-Help Bankruptcy Class
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service will hold a bankruptcy class for people with limited income who want to learn how to file for bankruptcy on their own.
An experienced bankruptcy attorney will teach the basics of filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Participants are given extensive training materials and blank forms to complete at home. Once participants complete the forms, an attorney will review them at no charge.
This class is available for people of low or moderate-income who have a high school diploma and do not own a home. There is a $30 fee to cover the cost of materials.
Dates: Thursdays: April 8, June 10, August 12, October 14, and December 9, 2010
Time: 9 am - 11 am
Location: MVLS Office
One North Charles Street, Suite 222
Baltimore, MD 21201
To register, call 410-547-6537, Monday-Thursday, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Space is limited, so call early.
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MoneyWi$e Train-the-Trainer Workshops
Are you interested in teaching financial literacy skills to your community? If so, please be our guest at one of our trainings in Greenbelt or Silver Spring, where you will:
· Learn about our MoneyWi$e multilingual financial education project.
· Be trained to teach key financial education skills to adults using the free MoneyWi$e materials.
· Provide the MoneyWi$e project with valuable feedback on your community's financial education needs.
Three FREE training opportunities available:
1. GREENBELT
Date: Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Time: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
Place: Greenbelt Marriott 6400 Ivy Lane Greenbelt, MD 20770
Date: Thursday, April 15, 2010
Place: Crowne Plaza Washington DC / Silver Spring
8777 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Dates: Thursday and Friday June 24 and 25, 2010
Place: NeighborWorks of America
400 E. Pratt St., Suite 606
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Financial Fitness Day
Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore
Get FREE advice from HUD certified counselors and attend FREE financial and homeownership classes. Choose one, or all three! Get your credit report on site (there is a $16 fee to process your credit report).
Date: April 17, 2010
Time: 8:30 am - 1:30 pm
Location: Pleasant Hope Baptist Curch
430 E. Belvedere Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21212
Registration is free, but space is lmited. To reister, call by April 1, 2010. 410-327-1200 | |
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MONEY POWER DAY
Saturday, March 13, 2010
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Poly-Western High School
1400 W. Cold Spring Lane
Baltimore, MD 21209
Click here for the MPD 2010 Flyer
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