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February 2011
| Vol 3, Issue 2
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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 new or ongoing programs, best practices in the field, and training opportunities. Its aim is to build a stronger network of services for Baltimore's 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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| Save the Date: Money Power Day is April 2, 2011! | |
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Baltimore CASH Campaign is hosting MONEY POWER DAY 2011, a FREE financial fitness fair. Join us for an energy-packed day filled with exciting activities designed to inspire and inform people of all ages and income levels on how to be financially secure!
Saturday, April 2nd - 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Poly-Western High School
1400 W. Cold Spring Lane
Baltimore, MD 21209
Money Power Day Features:
- Workshops - Topics such as buying a home, starting or expanding a small business, improving credit, and basic investing. Brought to you by MECU.
- Credit Café - Pull your free credit report, receive one-on-one credit counseling, and get free financial information. Brought to you by M&T Bank.
- Youth Zone - Fun, financially-focused activities for youth of all ages, including the Power Buck Game, online games, and more. Brought to you by SECU.
- Free Tax Preparation Services - Volunteer tax preparers will file taxes and help families earning $49,000 or less (or single tax filers earning $25,000 or less) receive all the tax credits they deserve. Brought to you by Bank of America.
- Foreclosure Prevention Clinic - Free legal consultations and housing counseling available to those who are interested.
- Benefits Zone - Get screened for public benefits to see if you and your family qualify for additional financial resources.
- Exhibitor Hall - Over forty-five nonprofits, businesses and government organizations will provide financial services, information, and education.
- Additional Services - Document shredding, medical screening, FAFSA assistance and more.
For more information visit: www.moneypowerday.org or call the Baltimore CASH Campaign at 443-692-9488. ■
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| Financial Aid U: Free Assistance Completing the FAFSA | 
As Baltimore CASH Campaign gears up for another successful tax season - the Financial Aid U program - becomes an integral feature of Baltimore CASH Campaign's community outreach. First conceived in 2008 by the Chicago-based Center for Economic Progress with initial funding from the Citi Foundation, Financial Aid U was developed to increase the opportunity of low-income students who have college attendance rates 20-40% below that of high-income students.
While over $100 billion in federal aid is available for college, many students who qualify miss out due to the daunting task of filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is why Baltimore CASH Campaign has teamed up with the National Community Tax Coalition (NCTC) and nine other cities nationally to expand the outreach of the Financial Aid U program. Financial volunteers at six Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites in Baltimore are able to assist low- and moderate-income students in filing their tax returns and then use that information to complete a FAFSA with them. Baltimore CASH Campaign has also been working with the Baltimore City Public Schools and the CollegeBound Foundation to host 30 tax and FAFSA completion events at local high schools in the city.
Baltimore CASH Campaign can help qualifying students receive critical need-based aid including Federal Pell Grants where students can receive up to $5,500 in student aid and the Maryland Guaranteed Access Grant, in which students could receive up to $13,700 in annually tuition for full-time study at a state college or university. Visit the Campaign's website or www.mhec.state.md.us to download the Maryland Guaranteed Access Grant application. It's important to complete the FAFSA soon as the Maryland state priority deadline is March 1st.
In today's tough economic climate, college degrees are needed more than ever to position students in viable careers. "Eighty percent of today's fastest growing careers require a postsecondary degree. As the job market grows more competitive, those without a college degree will be left further behind," says Sheldon Caplis, Citi Community Development Regional Director and State Director of Maryland. "By supporting low-income students and their families through this critical step on the path to college, we will help more students realize their dreams and build successful careers."
To register for FAFSA assistance or for free tax preparation visit www.baltimorecashcampaign.org OR CALL 410-234-2804 for more information. Individual FAFSA appointments are available at the Baltimore CASH Campaign headquarters located at 111 Water Street in downtown Baltimore ■
The following tax sites will also offer FAFSA completion assistance on Saturdays:
Baltimore CASH Campaign
111 Water St., Suite 201
Baltimore, MD 21202
(between Light & Calvert Sts)
Saturday, 9am-2pm
Baltimore CASH Campaign
3232 Belair Rd.
Baltimore, MD 21213
Saturday, 9am-4pm
Bon Secours of Maryland Foundation
26 N. Fulton Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21223
Saturday, 9am-11am & 2pm-5pm
Mayor's Office of Employment Development
Mondawmin Mall, 3rd Floor
2401 Liberty Heights Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21215
Saturday, 9am-2pm
Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore
819 Park Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21201
Saturday, 9am-2pm
PNC Bank
12 E. 25th St
Baltimore, MD 21218
Saturday, 9:30am-1pm
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| Leadership Spotlight: An Interview with D2D's Joanna Smith-Ramani | |
About Joanna Smith-Ramani:
Joanna Smith-Ramani is the director of strategy for Doorways to Dreams (D2D) Fund, which works to expand access to financial services for working families by cultivating and deploying innovative financial products and services. As the former director of Baltimore CASH Campaign, Joanna has over twelve years working in both community development, personal finance, and asset development. Joanna also holds a masters degree in public policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Did you always know you wanted to get into social service work?
Although I didn't always know what I wanted to do for a career, I did always feel mission driven to do work that would have an impact on people's lives. I grew up in a household where service was very important. Going to a catholic grade school and high school, social service was integrated into all of my classes. It became a part of my life at an early age. Therefore, I would say that social service has always been an integral part of my life and my growth as a professional community advocate.
Upon graduating from Harvard what led you to get involved in community development work?
I went into graduate school with a clear sense of what I was going to focus on. At the Kennedy School at Harvard there were policy directions, and I was focusing on housing and urban development. I had help developing my focus as an Americorps and VISTA volunteer working for Habitat for Humanity in Minnesota so I knew that I wanted to continue doing community housing work.
Did you have a mentor that inspired you?
I did have a wonderful mentor who was also my professor in graduate school. Nicolas Retsinas, who runs the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard. Professor Retsinas helped me to think about other parts of community development work other than housing. He encouraged me to think about the people and the financial service side of community development. Working with him and doing consulting work for companies that he sat on the board of allowed me to familiarize myself with the financial service side of social service work. My experience working with Professor Retsinas really inspired me to do the work I do today -- linking families to financial services and asset building opportunities.
What do you consider to be your greatest collaborative achievement since you joined D2D Fund?
I am very proud of the savings bond pilot that I have been working on collaboratively with the Savings Bond Working Group (SBWG) for some years now. The SBWG is a group of local and national non-profit organizations, tax preparers, and financial service advocates working to boost tax time savings through U.S. savings bonds. This effort started small, with only about fifty VITA sites offering savings bonds. It has grown tremendously - becoming a large national pilot - where over one hundred million people filing at VITA sites this year will have the opportunity to save through tax time savings bonds. Part of our biggest challenge in expanding the savings bond pilot has been trying to demonstrate to the federal government and to policy makers that low income tax filers want to save, that tax time is a good time to save, and that savings bonds are great product that people will choose as a way to save for their families.
We've had a lot of success through D2D's collaborative effort with the SBWG in working to revitalize the long-term benefits of U.S. saving bonds and encourage saving during tax time. D2D is now launching a big national campaign to let all American's know about tax time savings bonds. In this effort, we're working to get senators and members of congress involved, as well as other community groups and tax preparation agencies that aren't just VITA.
Is there a program or service you helped to create that you are especially proud of?
The growth of Baltimore CASH Campaign as an organization with a financial community mission has been tremendous. Baltimore CASH Campaign has grown significantly in its size and in its coalition partners. I feel very privileged to have been a part its development and organizational growth. When I first started as Director of Baltimore CASH Campaign, it was very small. I was the only full-time staff member and we had a part-time consultant. I was excited to see over the five years that I worked for Baltimore CASH how much our staff grew with JOTF as our fiscal agent and Maryland CASH as our statewide partner.
It's been amazing to see how Baltimore CASH staff, partners, volunteers and mission have gotten stronger, bigger and more diverse - offering a greater variety and quality of services. I'm especially proud of how Baltimore CASH has grown in terms of its volunteers. Baltimore CASH is seeing a lot of the same volunteers come back year after year to work with them during tax season and Money Power Day. The dedication I see among staff, volunteers, partners, and funders to the Campaign is what I am most proud of.
What is your professional vision for your work as a non-profit community leader?
I've been really lucky in terms of having jobs that have kept both my career moving forward and that have been intellectually challenging. I've had jobs that have been very connected to community work. They've allowed me to meet and work with really knowledgeable and motivational leaders that have inspired my growth as a professional community advocate.
I've done a lot of wonderful local work in Baltimore but I hope to do much more work nationally as D2D's efforts expand. I'm excited to share the kind of success we've had in Baltimore with other parts of the country. And as long as my work continues to have value to consumers with a strong mission focus, remains challenging, and includes lots of partner work I'll be excited to go to work every day.
It's hard to plan long term because the needs of consumers are always changing. My long term goal for my work with D2D is to always be aware of the needs of consumers first. Therefore we can be sure to meet the emergent concerns of the communities we service. Through this mission, I hope to continue to bring more opportunities to working families by increasing their access to financial technology and greater quality financial products. ■
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| Technology Hotspot: Blogging for Community Economic Development | |
There's no denying th e benefits of blogging in 2011! Blogging is a low cost - or often no cost way - to build the mission, direct communication, and outreach of your organization.
Lots of community and economic development organizations are getting involved in civic economic blogging. Several national civic blogs were found that focused their outreach on a range of community economic issues including economic opportunity, federal advocacy for working families, financial education and training, asset building, and raising tax credit awareness. Some national organizations who have developed civic blogs include: Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED), Real Economic Impact (REI), New America Foundation, Voices for America's Children, and Tax Credits for Working Families. To visit these blogs and others check out the links to their blog sites below.
Locally, NeighborWorks® has developed a homeownership blog to share its resources with the community and promote homeownership opportunities in Baltimore. In Maryland, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), Mdhousing's Blog helps to promote secure and affordable housing opportunities for Maryland's working families. Nearby Virginia CASH Campaign, has created a blog to expand its outreach about EITC, free tax preparation, and financial education services.
Others states with economic community development blogs include: New York, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Washington, Massachusettes, Pennslyvania, and California. In California, non-profit EARN has a blog that aims to give working families the resources to create financial stability through innovative economic opportunities and products. In addition, Pathways PA Policy in Pennsylvania, has developed a blog that promotes the self-sufficiency of families, free tax preparation services, and prevention of child abuse. You can visit the blogs below to learn more about blogging for community economic development. ■
Community Economic Development blogs: (*mentioned in the article)
*CFED-The Assets Movement blog:http://cfed.org/blog/theassetsmoment/
*New America Foundation:http://edmoney.newamerica.net/blogmain
*Real Economic Impact blog:http://realeconomicimpact.tumblr.com/
*Tax Credits for Working Families:http://www.taxcreditsforworkingfamilies.org/blog/
*Voices for America's Children:http://www.voices.org/blog/
*DHCD-Mdhousing's blog: http://blog.mdhousing.org/
*Virginia CASH Campaign-Earned Income Tax Credit Initiative:http://vaeitc.com/
*EARN Blog:http://www.earn.org/news/blog/
*Pathways PA Policy blog:http://policypathwayspa.blogspot.com/
*NHS-Baltimore Homeownership blog:http://www.nhsbaltimore.blogspot.com/
New Boston EITC Coalition blog:http://bostontaxhelp.wordpress.com/
DFI-Money Talks blog:http://finlit.blogspot.com/
Georgia Watch blog: http://www.georgiawatch.org/category/blog/
NYC Communities for Change blog:http://www.nycommunities.org/blog
Heart of Florida United Way blog: http://hfuw.wordpress.com/
Wake EITC Coalition-Wake County Free Tax Prep blog: http://www.waketax.org/
Community and Economic Development in North Carolina and Beyond blog:http://sogweb.sog.unc.edu/blogs/ced/
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| The Baltimore Creditor Abuse Prevention Project | |
The Baltimore Creditor Abuse Prevention Project is on track with its mission to help protect individuals and families from predatory credit and debt settlement companies. Rebecca Coleman, a recent University of Baltimore law school graduate is leading the effort to hold credit and debt settlement companies accountable for their unscrupulous business practices that prey on the elderly and impoverished communities of Baltimore.
To strengthen the project's mission, Ms. Coleman has teamed up with Civil Justice, Inc., a nonprofit public interest firm in Baltimore that works to help homeowners who have fallen victim to predatory real estate and mortgage agreements. Through this collaboration, Coleman has developed a free training course for participating attorneys who will fight creditor abuse cases for free or for a fee paid by the company, if the victim wins.
Coleman's effort has a holistic community focus, not just in transforming the lives of victims but in transforming the lives of practicing attorneys as well. "We want to get these attorneys to see that they can do well by doing good," says Coleman. "They can help people and still help their own practice. And hopefully, they'll continue to take these kinds of cases after they've taken on the two or three we assign them."
"I'm trying to give attorneys a good name," Coleman says, and build a stronger community. "When you have two, three or four houses on a block that are foreclosed, that negatively impacts the entire community. Abandoned houses attract all sorts of bad elements and keeping people in their homes is key to stabilizing communities," said Coleman.
To learn more about Ms. Coleman's collaboration with Civil Justice, Inc. and The Creditor Abuse Prevention Project you can contact her at 410-706-0174. ■
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| Career Pathways: Volunteer Opportunities & Open Positions | |
Volunteer Positions
Baltimore CASH Campaign:Seeking qualified volunteers to help Baltimore's working families reach their financial goals by providing them with free FAFSA preparation, financial education, and money saving services.
CASH Coaches Baltimore CASH Campaign is seeking individuals with financial expertise to work with low- and moderate-income clients to help them solve their financial management issues. CASH Coaches will help clients address various personal financial topics, including: budgeting, credit, and saving for a goal. The CASH Coach client cycle will run from April to September, and the time commitment is three months.
Money Power Day Volunteers Help with our largest annual one-day event, Money Power Day (MPD) which will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2011 (9 am - 3 pm). MPD is a free financial fitness fair that provides participants with a host of on-site financial services and information.
To find out more about these volunteer opportunities, contact Annie LaRoe, Volunteer Maryland Coordinator, at annie@baltimorecashcampaign.org or 410-234-2804.
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Hand in Hand Baltimore
Male Mentor: Empower youth by partnering with them to create change in their lives. Male mentors are needed to mentor young men who are returning home from the Baltimore City Detention Center or to work with young men who are currently incarcerated in the adult system.
To read more visit: http://www.idealist.org/view/volop/Th3gBsfH5W8d/
Email: handinhandbaltimore@gmail.com
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International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Special Needs Health Intern: This internship position will provide support to the Special Needs Care Coordinator in facilitating consistent care and follow-up for medically vulnerable clients. The IRC of Baltimore is a nonprofit agency dedicated to providing essential resettlement services to refugee families including health, social services, education, employment and advocacy.
To read more or apply online visit: http://tbe.taleo.net/NA2/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=IRC&cws=1&rid=6764
Qualified candidates may submit their cover letter and resume to Raffi Wartanian at: raffi.wartanian@theirc.org
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CASA de Maryland
COPA - Baltimore Organizer: A full-time opportunity to build your skills by performing a variety of tasks that strengthen the community by organizing and cultivating immigrant leaders in Baltimore. The Baltimore Organizer will identify and assist leaders in developing work groups around strategic local campaigns while providing leadership development training and opportunities with a collaborative team of organizers.
For more information go to: http://www.casademaryland.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1347:baltimore-organizer&catid=43
Qualified candidates may submit their cover letter and resume to:
Email: ealex@casamd.org with a copy to hr@casamd.org
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Catholic Charities of Baltimore
Pro Bono Managing Attorney:This full-time position will be responsible for developing and managing a state-wide immigration pro bono network that is expected to exceed one hundred attorneys, screening cases for pro bono placement, and supervising the substantive legal work of all network attorneys.
To read more or apply online visit:http://www.catholiccharities-md.org/careers/current-opportunities.html
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Comprehensive Housing Assistance, Inc. (CHAI)
Benefits Coordinator - Senior Home Repair & Modification Program: This is a full-time position that will work with seventy-five of CHAI's most vulnerable Senior Home Repair clients to help them access housing benefits and entitlements, social services benefits and community programs.
For more details visit: http://www.bncbaltimore.org/job_bank#CHAIbenSHR
Qualified candidates may submit their resumes to Allyson Fisher at: resume@associated.org
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Bon Secours Baltimore Health System
Coordinator Weed & Seed Program: A full-time position that will work to manage the Weed & Seed Program, funded by the Department of Justice. The position will work with residents to coordinate with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and related partners to plan and implement crime reduction strategies in areas of southwest Baltimore. The Weed & Seed initiative aims to prevent, control and reduce violent crime, criminal, drug-related activity, and gang activity.
To read more or apply online visit: https://www.healthcaresource.com/bonsecourshealthsystem/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.jobDetails&template=dsp_job_details.cfm&cJobId=588602
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| Ability Bank: Upcoming Trainings & Events | |
Getting Financially Fit
Baltimore County Alumae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
This free event will feature sessions and speakers on how to boost your financial fitness.
The Randallstown Community Center
3505 Resource Center Drive
Randallstown, MD 21133
Sessions:
Tuesday, February 22, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Topic: Financial SMARTS - How to Save Today for Wealth Tomorrow
Tuesday, April 19, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Topic: Real Estate and Taxes - Options to Increase Wealth
Tuesday, May 24, 6:30 pm- 8:00 pm
Topic: Staying Financially Fit - Don't Fall Off Your Financial Wagon
To find out more details download the flyer for this event at: http://www.bcacdeltas.org/Attachments/FinancialFitnessFlyer_2011.pdf
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Weathering The Storm in Tough Economic Times
Congressman Elijah Cummings
A series of informative and interactive resource sessions hosted by Congressman Elijah Cummings on programs and services available to individuals and families living in Maryland.
Sunday, March 5, 9:00 am - 11:00 am Howard Community College, RCF 400
10901 Little Patuxent Parkway
Columbia, MD 21044
443-518-4023
Wednesday, March 23, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Enoch Pratt Free Library Main Branch
400 Cathedral St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-396-5430
Monday, March 28, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
University of Maryland Baltimore County, University Center Rm 312
1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore, MD 21250
410-255-1000
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Forming Your Small Business
Baltimore CASH Campaign - Financial Fitness Series
Have you ever dreamt about becoming a business owner but didn't know where to start? Discover how to structure your business and what tax implications these different structures may have. Join Teddy Prioleau from the Tax and Mortgage Shop of America for a fun and informative session on starting your own business.
Tuesday, March 8, 6:00 pm- 7:00 pm
Poe Room, 2nd Floor
Enoch Pratt Free Library Central Branch
400 Cathedral St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
To register, visit the Maryland CASH Academy at www.mdcashacademy.org, call 410-234-2803, or email
monica@baltimorecashcampaign.org
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Amplify Baltimore
Discussion Topics:
- Financial Literacy
- Capability & Security
- Asset Buidling
Speakers: Jeff Dicken, Baltimore Green Currency Ass.; Bert J. Hash, Jr, Municipal Employees Credit Union; Jennifer Matthews, Creating Financial Literacy, LLC; Robin McKinney, Maryland CASH Campaign; Joan M. Pratt, Comptroller for the City of Baltimore; Althea Saunders-Ranniar, Our Money Place Financial Services - Bon Secours of Maryland
Saturday, March 12, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Maryland Institute College of Art
Brown Center, Falvey Hall
1300 Mt. Royal Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21217
To learn more visit Amplify Baltimore on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=186426954704593
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Entrepreneurship Expo
Baltimore County Alumae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
This event will feature speakers, workshops, and the opportunity to network with small business owners who own a variety of businesses. No selling is permitted in order to allow everyone to focus on what it takes to start, own, and operate a small business.
Saturday, March 26, 10 am - 2 pm
Randallstown Community Center
3505 Resource Center Drive
Randallstown, MD 21133
To learn out more call BCAC at: 410-922-8655 OR Email BCAC at: information@bcacdeltas.org
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Money Power Day
Baltimore CASH Campaign
Saturday, April 2, 9 am - 3pm
Poly-Western High School
1400 W. Cold Spring Lane
Baltimore, MD 21209
To learn more visit Baltimore CASH Campaign's Money Power Day website at:
www.moneypowerday.org
Download our Money Power Day save the date Flyer:
http://www.baltimorecashcampaign.org/Portals/0/CASH%20MPD11%20Flyer%20_12-2010_.pdf
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Basic Investing Baltimore CASH Campaign - Financial Fitness Series Join us for a informative workshop on investing options including: savings accounts, certificates of deposit, money market funds, stocks, and bonds. Learn how to develop your own investment strategy with comfort and find out who you should speak with regarding your investing decisions. Tuesday, April 12, 6:00 pm- 7:00 pm Poe Room, 2nd Floor
Enoch Pratt Free Library Central Branch 400 Cathedral St. Baltimore, MD 21201 To register, visit the Maryland CASH Academy at www.mdcashacademy.org, call 410-234-2803, or email monica@baltimorecashcampaign.org *** National Community Reinvestment Coalition Conference National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) The theme of the NCRC Conference will center around national challenges and how to implement local solutions to address our national challenges as community advocates. Local solutions to be discussed include: Rebuilding Homes, Lives and Communities. Wednesday, April 13 - Saturday, April 16 Washington, DC
Cost: $99 for members/ $199 for non-members
Register at: www.ncrc.org
*** Sixth Annual Conference on Financial Education
The Institute for Financial Literacy Thia annual conference provides professional development opportunities for individuals who work on financial education. Share your financial knowledge while networking with other financial educators. Learn about current trends, promote best practices and advance the cause of financial education. Wednesday, April 20 - Friday, April 22 Drake Hotel, Chicago, IL
Cost: $349 (postmarked before 3/29/11)
Visit the Institute for Financial Literacy to learn more:http://www.financiallit.org/xpages/conference/conference.aspx
*** Funding Your Retirement Baltimore CASH Campaign - Financial Fitness Series No matter what age you are, it is always a smart idea to start saving for retirement. Retirement will be here before you know it! This workshop will explain the different sources of retirement income, how to calculate how much you should save for retirement, and the different investment tools available to meet your goals. Tuesday, May 10, 6:00 pm- 7:00 pm Poe Room, 2nd Floor
Enoch Pratt Free Library Central Branch 400 Cathedral St. Baltimore, MD 21201 To register, visit the Maryland CASH Academy at www.mdcashacademy.org, call 410-234-2803, or email monica@baltimorecashcampaign.org *** |
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