 The following introduces you to a report on an innovative way to help people on limited income. It is a report on a program called the "Bank On Program." while the program has showed promise it has not been without problems. Here is a brief introduction to the report.
In 2005 San Francisco city leaders were surprised by new research that estimated that one in five
San Francisco adults, and half of Blacks and Latinos,, did not have bank accounts. These primarily working poor city residents faced a big disadvantage because they lacked this basic
financial tool. In fact, many un-banked San Francisco residents reported paying 2 to 5 percent of their income just to cash their paychecks.
Mayor Gavin Newsom and City Treasurer José Cisneros convened a working group to examine this problem. They learned that there are other costs to being un-banked, costs that are not readily apparent.
Families without accounts do not have a safe place to keep their money. They walk around with wads of cash in their pockets, or it is at home in a coffee can. Robberies can be more prevalent around check cashing outlets and a disaster, like a house fire or an earthquake, leaves un-banked families even less able to cope in the face of an emergency.
Perhaps most importantly, a bank account is the first step to financial security. Without one, it is harder to save and to get well priced car loans, credit cards, or mortgages, the exact financial tools needed to climb the economic ladder.
To read the full report, and see what San Francisco did to address this problem, click here.
Boyce Hinman
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California Communities United Institute Newsletter
We sent you a NewsFlash on this subject previously. However, it bears repeating to be sure everyone who needs to know hears about it.
According to the US Census Bureau there are 422,840 Asian and Pacific Islanders and 2,871,680 Latinos and Latinas who speak limited English, or who don't speak English at all.
Assembly Member Ma has introduced a bill (AB 400) that would require employers to provide paid sick leave to employees who have worked for them for 90 days or longer. 
The Proposition 8 court case has taken another turn, one of many such twists and turns. To refresh your memory here are those twists and turns.