A sustainable approach to financial literacy
In Brief: Lasting Change is a financial literacy program which is specifically geared toward unbanked, low-income individuals who rely upon community organizations to supplement their basic needs. Lasting Change utilizes a holistic asset building approach by combining mentors, facilitation-based workshops, peer support groups, and banking incentives. By discussing underlying belief systems and attitudes about money, participants will be more likely to make the necessary changes to escape poverty.
Workshops: Local Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) facilitate the hands-on workshops. These volunteers use a curriculum developed by the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) entitled Making Money Work! This is an experiential program designed to encourage group participation. It consists of six modules and is taught over a six-week period. These workshops exist to build mental resources.
Asset Mentors: Community volunteers act as ‘asset mentors’ and facilitate discussion groups during the workshops. The purpose of the mentorship is to offer individualized attention to address the specific needs of participants. Mentors are aware of various community resources and supply participants with helpful, relevant information. These mentors exist to provide social capital and role modeling resources.
Nutrition Education: Dinner is provided free of charge before the start of each workshop. Representatives from Seedleaf—a local, nonprofit organization—facilitate two nutrition education classes during the course of the program. These classes exist to provide mental resources.
Banking Incentives: If participants attend all six sessions and complete the supplemental homework, they will be eligible for a banking incentive. Successful graduates will be offered $25 to open a checking account and an additional $25 to open a savings account. After six months, participants may be eligible for another $25. Participants also receive $5 for every class they attend (up to $25). In total, participants can receive up to $100. These incentives exist to provide financial resources.
Lasting Change for Kids: Adult participants in the Lasting Change program may register their children for a concurrent financial literacy program. Volunteers from Junior Achievement facilitate the More than Money program for kids ages 7-11.
When, Where, and How: Lasting Change is a six-week course offered four times out of the year. Currently, classes are held on Thursday evenings at William Wells Brown Community Center (548 East Sixth Street). The next series of workshops will begin in May 2010. Class size is limited to 20.
For more Information or to Register for classes contact
Annie Ormsbee • 859.253.1993 ext 223
To get an idea what Lasting Change is like, check out these videos from the March 11 class.
The class begins with a meal. Today Becca Self, from Seedleaf helps participants prepare a healthy, nutritious meal, that's also inexpensive.
http://sharing.theflip.com/session/c857bfc0e9fd8c33ad9132d8721afe76/video/11512609
Classroom Lecture by Scott Neal lasts about 60 minutes
http://sharing.theflip.com/session/c857bfc0e9fd8c33ad9132d8721afe76/video/11512284
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