801 University Ave., Unit 3, DSM, IA 50314 Main Phone: 515-697-7700 info@evelynkdaviscenter.org

M–TH: 8:00am–6:00pm F: 8:00am–5:00pm SAT: 8:00am–1:00pm SUN: CLOSED

COMMUNITY CALENDAR | APRIL 2016APRIL 2ACT Prep Workshop: 9:00am–3:00pm, Registration Needed

APRIL 4NCRC Test: 9:00am–1:00pm, 4:45pm–8:30pm, Appt. Needed Digital Literacy (Beginner): 2:00pm–4:00pm

APRIL 5WTA Q&A Session: 9:00am–12:00pm, 4:00pm–7:00pm, Appt. Needed Homework Coaching Program: 5:00pm–7:00pm

APRIL 6NCRC Test: 8:45am–1:00pm, Appt. Needed Homework Coaching Program: 5:00pm–7:00pm

APRIL 7Digital Literacy (Advanced): 1:00pm–3:00pm Homework Coaching Program: 5:00pm–7:00pm

APRIL 11NCRC Test: 8:45am–1:00pm, Appt. Needed Digital Literacy (Beginner): 2:00pm–4:00pm

APRIL 12WTA Q&A Session: 9:00am–12:00pm, 4:00pm–7:00pm, Appt. Needed Financial Boot Camp: 5:30pm–7:30pm Homework Coaching Program: 5:00pm–7:00pm

APRIL 13NCRC Test: 8:45am–1:00pm, Appt. Needed Youth Opportunity Fair: 10:00am–2:00pm Homework Coaching Program: 5:00pm–7:00pm

APRIL 14Digital Literacy (Advanced): 1:00pm–3:00pm Homework Coaching Program: 5:00pm–7:00pm

APRIL 18NCRC Test: 8:45am–1:00pm, Appt. Needed Digital Literacy (Beginner): 2:00pm–4:00pm Masters Business Boot Camp: 12:15pm–3:15pm

APRIL 19WTA Q&A Session: 9:00am–12:00pm, 4:00pm–7:00pm, Appt. Needed Financial Boot Camp: 5:30pm–7:30pm Homework Coaching Program: 5:00pm–7:00pm

APRIL 20NCRC Test: 8:45am–1:00pm, Appt. Needed Wednesday Hiring Days: 9:00am–1:00pm Homework Coaching Program: 5:00pm–7:00pm

APRIL 21Digital Literacy (Advanced): 1:00pm–3:00pm Homework Coaching Program: 5:00pm–7:00pm

APRIL 23"I Didn't Know That" Home Buying Series: 10:00am–12:00pmAPRIL 25NCRC Test: 8:45am–1:00pm, Appt. Needed Digital Literacy (Beginner): 2:00pm–4:00pm Masters Business Boot Camp: 12:15pm–3:15pm

APRIL 26WTA Q&A Session: 9:00am–12:00pm, 4:00pm–7:00pm, Appt. Needed Financial Boot Camp: 5:30pm–7:30pm Homework Coaching Program: 5:00pm–7:00pm

APRIL 27NCRC Test: 8:45am–1:00pm, Appt. Needed Homework Coaching Program: 5:00pm–7:00pm

APRIL 28Digital Literacy (Advanced): 1:00pm–3:00pm Homework Coaching Program: 5:00pm–7:00pm

DID YOU KNOW? April 22, 2016 is Earth Day. This year’s theme is Reducing Food Waste.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, about 95% of the food we throw away—from uneaten leftovers to spoiled produce —ends up in landfills and combustion facilities. Once in landfills, the food breaks down to produce a potent greenhouse gas, methane, which contributes to climate change.

A good way to prevent this is composting. This can be done in the comfort of your own home or back yard. Compost, an organic material, can be added to your garden to produce a richer, healthier soil for your plants to thrive. Not only that, but it will eliminate the use of harmful fertilizers, and result in a healthier plant—and a healthier you!

To find out more on how you can make your own compost, visit www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home.

IN THIS ISSUE a Community Eventsa Credit Checka Masters Business Boot Campa The Financial Fix a DIY That Will Save You Thousandsa Youth Opportunity Faira "I Didn't Know That" Home-Buying Seriesa Tutoring Sessions at EKDa Natural Hair Freedom Rally

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP NEWSLETTER | APRIL 2016

Achieving Greater Success...

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FINANCIAL FITNESS BOOT CAMPCome get your money clean for 2016! Sign up for this dynamic 4-week workshop and take your finances to the next level. Included: Financial Planning, Money Management, Budgeting, Credit Repair, and Loan Management. Next sessions: April 12, April 19, April 26, and May 3 — for more information, please call 515-697-1450 or visit www.fcn-dm.org.

Interested in purchasing a car, home, or even a phone? View your credit score first! You can do so by creating a profile on www.creditkarma.com. You might also be able to obtain your FICO score (credit score) via your credit card’s mobile app.

Before making a large purchase on credit, it will help you tremendously to have an idea of your credit standing. Credit scores range from 300-800, with 300 being the lowest score. If you find yourself in that range, you may want to place your purchase on hold and work on increasing your score first. Raising your score can not only increase your chances of obtaining your large item, but it can also increase your chances of getting a lower interest rate on your purchase.

What’s the ideal credit score? It depends on what you’re looking to purchase. Most individuals with a score of 625 or above have better interest rates and payment outcomes than those with lower scores. Lenders also view these individuals as responsible and more likely to pay back their debts.

When checking your score on Credit Karma, you’ll also have the opportunity to take a peek at your credit history. Your history will show your payment schedule--from how many payments you’ve made on an account to how many times you’ve missed a payment or were delinquent. Your credit history is one of the main factors in determining your three-digit credit score.

It's important to make sure that all accounts listed in your

credit history are valid. If you find a discrepancy, contact the account holder as well as the reporting credit agency (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) and inform them of the incorrect information.

To view your credit history for free, visit www.annualcreditreport.com and check one credit agency. According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you may check your credit history three times each year. Ideally, you should check your credit history through one bureau/agency at a time every four months.

If you don’t have a credit score or any credit history, create a positive credit slate for yourself. Start off with something small like the secured credit card offered through most banks and credit unions. You can also go through your bank and apply for a small personal loan (no larger than $1,000) and make monthly payments. Remember, when establishing and building credit, be sure to make payments on time and pay more than the minimum balance due. Doing this will typically help you establish a score in good standing within 6 months!

Also, beware of companies that have financing for those without credit. You will find yourself with higher interest rates and longer terms that will cost you much more than what the purchase was worth.

To schedule an appointment with a Personal Financial Coach and to see how you can maximize your financial potential, call 515.697.7700 today.

The third cohort for the Masters Business Bootcamp is just on the horizon. Classes will be held at the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families, from 12:15-3:15pm, for six consecutive Mondays, starting April 18th to May 23rd.

To qualify for this workshop one must meet the following requirements:

��Have been operateding your business for at least 6 consecutive months

��Have an established clientele base that utilize your products and/or services

��Attend a pre-screening interview

��Complete the online application

For more information contact Fernando Aveiga at 515.697.1478 or RSVP on Evelyn K. Davis Center’s events page on Facebook.

UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY

YOUTH OPPORTUNITY FAIR April 13, 10:30am–2:00pm Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families; a day full of educational workshops, and one-on-one assistance. See page 3 for more information. Cost: FREE

"I DIDN’T KNOW THAT” SERIES April 23, 10:00am–12:00pm Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families; an educational workshop on home buying. Cost: FREE

EARTH DAY GEOCACHE HUNT April 23, 1:00pm–3:00pm Jester Park, Camp Area 5; Join a naturalist to learn how to use a GPS, then go search the woods to find the Lorax and his treasures hidden in the park. Be sure to keep an eye out for the truffula trees, which are worth special prizes. Space is limited, so register early. Pre-registration required; deadline is April 15. Cost: $5 per collector (any child ages 3-14)

EASTER SEALS WALK FOR INDEPENDENCE April 23, 7:30am–12:00pm Camp Sunnyside; This one-mile walk around Lake Cheerio at Camp Sunnyside also features family-friendly entertainment. Activities include kids’ games and crafts, face painting, bounce house, mascots, rock wall, horseback rides, archery, marshmallow roast and food trucks. Cost: FREE; donations appreciated—to support local programs at Easter Seals Iowa and Camp Sunnyside. Visit website for more information.

CREDIT CHECK: CHECK YOUR CREDIT SCORE TODAY!

MASTERS BUSINESS BOOT CAMP

FCN’S NEW MEDIACOM SERIES: THE FINANCIAL FIXAfter several months of planning, the Financial Capability Network (FCN) is thrilled to announce that we have expanded our outreach to television. In January, 2016, FCN partnered with Mediacom, and began launching a series of segments, in lieu of promoting financial awareness and wellness within the community.

The format of the segments include two hosts, Deidre DeJear, Program Manager for FCN, and Jeff Angelo, Community Relations Manager at Mediacom. Various experts within the community are asked to appear as guest speakers, regarding topics such as credit, taxes, savings, investments and much more.

Each segment typically lasts about 5-7 minutes, and is targeted toward moderate-income individuals throughout the state. Shows are aired during regularly

scheduled Mediacom programming, and accessible through Mediacom OnDemand, YouTube and Evelyn K. Davis Center’s social media sites.

To learn more and/or find out how you can contribute to this initiative, please contact Amber Alli at 515-697-1453.

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DIY THAT WILL SAVE YOU THOUSANDSEspresso. Frappuccino. Macchiato. Latte.

We all have given in to our temptations and have shelled out $3-$5 for a cup of our favorite drink. We justify the purchase by telling ourselves that it’s just a one-time treat, but then we fall to temptation for a second day in a row and before you know it have a full-fledged coffee addiction. We can’t get our day started without caffeine and the thought of going a full day without at least one cup is asking for trouble.

When you think about it on a day-to-day basis, $3-$5 isn’t really that bad is it? Of course not, but $3-$5 a day for 30 days adds up to $90-$150, which is $1,080-$1,800 a year! Morning coffee can become really expensive if it’s a part of your daily routine, luckily, most companies now offer a variety of unique blends for home brewing.

If you absolutely cannot fathom cutting coffee out of your daily diet, invest in a quality coffee maker

and thermal. You will be amazed at how much extra money you will save when you brew your own cup o’ java, instead of paying someone else to do it for you each day.

Learn additional ways to maximize your financial potential! Contact Canesha Funderburke at 515-567-1484 to schedule your appointment today!

TUTORING SESSIONS AT EKDTutoring sessions are now being held at the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families, every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 5-7pm.

Homework coaches from Drake University and Grand View University will be on site to mentor middle

school to high-school students in all school subjects, ACT preparations, college preparation, study skills and much more!

For registration or for more information contact 515.697.7700 today!

YOUTH OPPORTUNITY FAIRWhat better way to prepare our youth for a successful future than to provide them with opportunities to do so?

On Wednesday, April 13, 2016, the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families (EKD) will be hosting the annual Youth Opportunity Fair at East High School. Students from 14 to 19 will have an opportunity to meet with various employers, apply for job openings, and learn about higher education and volunteer opportunities.

New this year: EKD staff will be visiting some local high schools to conduct brief workshops with interest students students. The workshops are designed to prepare students and teach them proper interview etiquette and techniques.

For more information on this event contact the Evelyn K. Davis Center at 515.697.7700.

“I DIDN’T KNOW THAT” HOME-BUYING SERIESThe Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families will kick off the next “I Didn’t Know That,” series on Saturday, April 18th, from 10am-12pm. This home-buying educational workshop will host a panel of experts who will share best practices and resources for how to prepare yourself for one of your biggest, and most important investments — purchasing a home.

Panelists will include a realtor, banker, credit union representative, home inspector, insurance representative, and representative from the Neighborhood Finance Corporation.

To ensure a seat at this FREE event, please RSVP to 515.697.1484 no later than April 23, 2016!

NATURAL HAIR FREEDOM RALLYLet’s talk about hair with Celebrity Natural Stylist and founder of Institute of Ancestral Braiding, Isis Brantley.

��Meet & Greet / Continental Breakfast

��Open Forum Discussion

��Keynote Address: Isis Brantley

Isis Brantley is an expert African hair braider. Her decades of experience have allowed her to work with everyone from Grammy-winning artist Erykah Badu to clients whose hair has been damaged by the use of chemicals and unhealthy practices. Her personal battle first began in 1997 when several undercover officers entered Brantley’s hair braiding shop and arrested her for braiding hair without a cosmetology license.

For nearly 30 years, Isis Brantley has taught African hair braiding to everyone from out-of-work women seeking a new skill as a first step on the economic ladder, to state-licensed cosmetologists interested in learning the art of African hair braiding. A resident of Dallas, TX she is a national leader and advocate for natural haircare and African braiding.

TO BECOME A SPONSOR TODAY, CONTACT: Aicheria Bell, Protective Stylist Paparazzi Hair Studio & Spa Phone: (515)-274-0311 Starquailtybeauty@gmail.com