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The Compass
For Asset Development
Professionals
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| Welcome! | |
The Compass, an e-newsletter 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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| Important General Announcement: Asset Limits & Public Benefits |
Effective May 1st, assets limits are no longer in effect for Maryland's Temporary CASH Assistance (TCA) recipients. Participants will now be able to hold on to their tax refunds for more than 60 days, save for security deposits, and start to build an emergency nest egg without losing their benefits. Now the TCA policy will only look for cash on hand and money in a savings or checking account. After reviewing available data, it was found that very few TCA applicants or recipients have countable resources. Fewer still have resources that exceed eligibility limits and those that did, also have incomes that make their income over scale. This change in policy makes the program easier to implement and reduces the workload on the local department staff. We are one of a small number of states to remove asset limits, so Maryland is once again leading the way! |
| Money Power Day 2010 |
   
Despite heavy rain on Saturday, March 13, 2010, over 1,000 people went to Poly-Western High School in order to attend Money Power Day. The annual free financial fitness fair attracted people of all ages and income levels in the Baltimore area. The attendees took advantage of all the day had to offer.
An opening ceremony kicked-off the day including speeches by Joanna Smith-Ramani from Baltimore CASH Campaign, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Tony White from the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives, and a blessing by Reverend Twanda Prioleau, Ames United Methodist Church. Platinum sponsors M&T, SECU, MECU, and Citi hosted main stage activities throughout the day, and Deborah and Terry Owens facilitated a discussion at lunchtime on Love and Money.
More than 100 participants pulled their free credit report and 50 received one-on-one credit counseling; 30 individuals received free tax preparation assistance; 45 visited the foreclosure prevention clinic and met with a pro bono attorney or housing counselor; 37 attendees received information on health insurance and public benefits; and many more participated in workshops, the exhibitor hall, and the youth zone!
Money Power Day was again a great success! The demand for similar events in other areas of the region and country demonstrates the very relevant need for high-quality, free financial services at this time. The sponsors, partners, and volunteers help make this event and its services possible.
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| CASH Coach Program Volunteer Success Story |
 Baltimore CASH Campaign has just begun the second year of the CASH Coach Program. Volunteer CASH Coaches get matched with a client and provide one-on-one mentoring to help the client reach his or her personal financial goals. The coaches provide free support and can help teach money management skills such as: starting and maintaining a budget, debt management, saving toward a goal, establishing credit, or credit repair. One volunteer named Janetta served as a CASH coach last year and had a wonderful experience with her client. She went above and beyond with her time and dedication to her client. Here is her story:
"Volunteering as a Cash Coach is by far one of the best experiences I have ever encountered. My initial thought was to help the participant get her credit score and formulate a budget. However, she wanted to know everything about credit, bill paying, and payroll taxes. Through a series of questions and answers, we came to the realization that every facet of life is linked to finances.
As a low wage earner with no high school diploma, the participant realized that a lack of information is why she had financial problems. The first thing she realized is that getting a GED would make her more marketable and allow her an opportunity to get the promotion she wanted. We scheduled a GED test and got her accepted into a local program. Next, we discovered how eating out is costly. The participant and I purchased a spiral notebook and she wrote down every penny spent for an entire month. After seeing on paper how much money was spent on fast food, she started arranging for her brother to take her to a better grocery store and Sam's Club once a month. These choices offer better savings. Then the participant and I wrote letters to her creditors requesting settlement amounts and payment arrangements. Over a six month period, more than a third of the participant's debt was negotiated and resolved. Finally, we opened a savings account. By Christmas, the participant managed to save several hundred dollars, which was something she said she had never done before."
Baltimore CASH thanks Janetta and the other CASH Coaches for their time and dedication! If you are interested in the program (as a coach or a client), please contact Monica at 410-234-2803 or monica@baltimorecashcampaign.org. |
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 The AssetPlatform.org was launched nationally in Washington D.C. on April 13, 2010. However, Baltimore was fortunate to celebrate an early launch on April 8th at the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The event brought together numerous members of the asset-building field to learn about the new website's tools and resources. The purpose of the event was to introduce the platform, to create and strengthen connections between those working on asset development in the city and state, and to begin discussing how to improve asset building activities.
The Aspen Institute in partnership with the Center for the Study of Social Policy developed assetplatform.org and both the Annie E. Casey Foundation and Living Cities funded this website to help raise the quality, capacity, efficiency, and impact of all of those in the asset-building field. The hope is to provide a comprehensive set of training, tools and resources that are high-quality, affordable and easily accessible by organization leadership and frontline staff. Organizations may use the free platform to connect with, and learn from, each other.
Irene Skricki from the Annie E. Casey Foundation began the event with a welcome speech. Kirsten Moy from the Aspen Institute then gave a demonstration of the AssetPlatform, explaining how to make use of all of the resource available online. Kristen Bibo from the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers led the afternoon discussion, "Building an Asset Pathway in Baltimore and Maryland." The panel was made up of Felix Torres Colon (Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore, Inc.), Robin McKinney (Maryland CASH Campaign), and Joanna Smith-Ramani (D2D Fund, formerly of the Baltimore CASH Campaign). The entire day helped begin an important conversation on how to use the AssetPlatform to strengthen and connect existing asset building activities already set in place. The group found a gap in services such as microenterprise programs and an abundance of services being offered in areas like financial education.
The Baltimore launch of AssetPlatform.org helped make the benefits of the new resource known to local and statewide groups. Visit www.assetplatform.org and register today!
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Unemployment Insurance in Maryland:
The Facts you Need to Help Clients Navigate the System |
On April 22, 2010, Job Opportunities Task Force, University of Maryland School of Law and Baltimore CASH Campaign hosted a workshop titled, "Unemployment Insurance in Maryland: The Facts you Need to Help Clients Navigate the System." Approximately 50 people attended the event at the University of Maryland School of Law.
Unemployment Insurance (UI) is an employer-funded program that provides temporary support to persons who are unemployed through no fault of their own. In Maryland, workers can receive half of their previous wages in UI benefits, or up to $410 (soon to be $430), for 26 weeks. The number of eligible persons has doubled since the recession began in 2007.
Jason Perkins-Cohen, Executive Director of Job Opportunities Task Force, began the forum discussing the policy changes for Unemployment Insurance in Maryland over the past few years and gave an overview as to how the benefit is used in Maryland. Due to eligibility restrictions only 41 percent of unemployed persons receive benefits, which is an average of $310 per week.
A spring semester class at the University of Maryland School of Law makes up the Workers Rights Clinic from mid-January to April. Deborah Eisenberg is the faculty member for the course in its second year. Her students then presented information on unemployment insurance, such as, eligibility requirements, how to apply for UI benefits, and how to represent yourself in an appeals hearing. The extensive information helped practitioners understand how to help their clients receive benefits. The students have had experience throughout the semester representing claimants, presenting a more practical understanding the UI benefits process.
Given the recent economic downturn, unemployment insurance is an important topic. Many people are unaware of what the eligibility requirements are and when they are considered unemployed through no fault of their own. This forum helped give a better understanding about unemployment insurance in Maryland.
Please visit the Maryland DLLR Unemployment Insurance Division to learn more about UI in Maryland at http://www.dllr.state.md.us/employment/clmtguide/uiclmtpamphlet.pdf. |
| CareerPathways: Open Positions | |
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Annie E. Casey Foundation
Program Associate - Workforce Development, Successful Working Families Unit: The Program Associate is a full-time, mid-level professional position at the Foundation. The Program Associate works with grantees to develop effective strategies around work supports for specific populations/family cohorts, assists in tracking the work of the grantees, identifying areas in which technical assistance would be beneficial, and helping the grantees in their efforts to promote policy and practice improvements that will benefit low income families.
This position reports to the Senior Associate(s) with lead responsibilities on work supports and benefits maximation.
To apply:
Please send a cover letter and resume by mail to:
Maxine Norris
The Annie E. Casey Foundation
701 St. Paul Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-547-6600
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Catholic Charities of Baltimore
Director of ODBEC/Christopher Place: Will have overall responsibility for all functions and activities of ODBEC with emphasis on program development, financial and business operations of the program, strategic planning and community relations. For more details: Click Here ***
Parks and People Foundation
Community Greening Resource Network (CGRN) Program Coordinator (AmeriCorps *VISTA position): The Community Greening Resource Network (CGRN) is designed to address the self-identified needs of Baltimore City's community gardeners and greeners by enrolling them in a collaborative program that provides the resources (including seeds, plants, soil, and tools), education (in the form of workshops, trainings, and a shared calendar), and connections they need to be successful. The Parks & People Foundation and University of Maryland Extension are the founding partners of CGRN and Parks & People is the primary sponsor with the support of many partners. Studies show that urban greening and gardening can play a significant role in revitalizing communities and reducing the impacts of poverty. By coordinating the resources of many area organizations and gardeners, and creating a comprehensive and consistent network, CGRN allows citizens to more easily sustain their community's valuable green spaces.
The third year of CGRN's three-year implementation plan will focus on resource development and fundraising as well as solidifying program policies and procedures. The CGRN Coordinator is responsible for program outreach and development and coordination of all program components. This position is for one full year starting this summer.
To apply, please send cover letter, resume, and three references to:
Sarah Krones
Parks & People Foundation
800 Wyman Park Dr, Suite 010
Baltimore, MD 21211
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Humanim
Employment Consultant-WorkFirst Baltimore, MDWorkFirst:
a division of Humanim has an immediate opening for a full-time Employment Consultant. This position will be responsible for helping individuals with disabilities in the Baltimore area obtain employment through job development, placement and support within the community. The ideal candidate will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, marketing skills and tome management skills. A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Valid driver's license and use of personal vehicle required. Experience working with people with disabilities preferred.
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 | Introduction to Financial Stability for Clients
University of Maryland School of Social Work
Friday, May 14, 2010
8:45 am - 3:30 pm, Hagerstown, $50
CEUs: 5, Instructor: Sara Johnson, MSW
Friday, July 9, 2010
8:45 am - 3:30 pm, District of Columbia, $50
CEUS: 5, Instructor: Robin McKinney, MSW
For more information or to register, please visit:
ssw.umaryland.edu/cpe or call 410-706-5040
22nd Annual Personal Finance Seminar for ProfessionalsUniversity of Maryland
Learn about today's most critical consumer-spending issues at a great venue for turning information into knowledge.
Wednesday, May 12 - Friday, May 14, 2010
DoubleTree Hotel Annapolis
210 Holiday Court
Annapolis, MD
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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: 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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2010 Forum: The Future of Homewonership in Maryland- Avoiding the Next Crisis
Baltimore Homeownership Preservation Coaltion and Maryland Housing Counselors Network, Inc.
For years, homeownership was as American as apple pie. It was assumed that most Americans should own their own homes and that having that home would be the ultimate step in achieving the American Dream. The last few years have challenged many assumptions and indeed for many, homeownership has become the American nightmare. Where do we go from here? What should we expect? How can we save homeownership? Does renting make economic sense? These are some of the important questions to be discussed, debated and analyzed at "The Future of Homeownership n Maryland - Avoiding the Next Crisis." The Forum will also feature an educational capacity building track for all practitioners and policymakers in attendance, who are interested in the latest information and tools available to keep the homeownership dream alive for Maryland residents.
Date: May 11, 2010
Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location: Hilton Columbia
5485 Twin Knolls Road
Columbia, MD 21045
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