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705 Oakwood St., Ste. 205Ravenna, OH 44266

330.297.7027, ext. 351fax 330.296.2684

News Release

Contact: Raven DeVoll, (330) 297.7027 ext. 351 or rdevoll@portagefamilies.org 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJan. 6, 2010

HOME SAVINGS BANK AND PARTA SUPPORT NEW FINANCIAL EDUCATION

PROGRAM OF FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES, INC.

Home Savings Bank and Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority showed their support

of Family & Community Services’ new financial education program, Strategies for AttainingFinancial Empowerment, by contributing resources and materials to the program andencouraging its development.

Home Savings Bank in Brimfield realizes the importance of financial education classes withinthe community and is committed to spreading the knowledge through $.A.F.E. “Being involvedwith the $.A.F.E. program is an easy and obvious way to help out our community,” said ScottMikula, Assistant Vice President of Home Savings Bank.

Mikula believes it is a useful program community members should take advantage of. Whileworking within the bank, he explained there are times when customers come in to see him,

having no idea how to balance their checkbook or understand the difference between debit cardsand credit cards.

Mikula’s donation of 300 calculators to $.A.F.E. expresses the bank’s enthusiasm for financialeducation. The calculators will be given to the participants who attend the budgeting class of theprogram.

PARTA also showed its commitment to the new program by providing free bus tokens to helppotential participants travel to and from the classes. The $.A.F.E. program and PARTA realizethat transportation may be an issue for local community members, especially during winter, butdon’t want the weather to deter participant’s interest in the program.

The $.A.F.E. program is in its pilot year at F&CS. It strives to build self-sufficiency by providingthe knowledge, tools, and resources necessary for financial stability.

The class curriculum was assembled by F&CS VISTA members. Key information was providedby Beta Alpha Psi, the accounting and finance fraternity at Kent State University, ConsumerCredit Counseling Services of F&CS, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

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The program comprises of three core classes, Basic Budgets, Credit 101, and Credit ReportEducation.

Basic Budgets demonstrates how important it is to create and maintain a family spending plan,

and set realistic financial goals. Credit 101 covers the many terms associated with using credit,the new consumer protection laws, and how to guard against predatory lending practices. CreditReport Education informs participants how to access and understand a free credit report, ways tobuild and repair a credit report and score, and offers advice on avoiding identity theft.

F&CS has long acknowledged the need for financial literacy in Portage County. According to theOhio Association of Community Action Agencies, an estimated 31 percent of all Ohiohouseholds are not considered self-sufficient. Poor wages, the increasing cost of housing,utilities, health care, and groceries all contribute to dependence on federal assistance programs,demonstrating the importance of financial literacy. The $.A.F.E. program believes that financialeducation and awareness is essential for creating financial stability.

Classes will be held in Ravenna on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 19, 26 from 6:15-8:15 p.m. at F&CS, 705Oakwood St., in Kent on Saturday, Jan. 16, 23, 30 from 1-3 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 600S. Water St., and additional locations throughout Portage County as the year progresses. Allclasses are free to the public. Call (330) 297.7027 ext. 351 or visit EmpowerPortage.com/SAFEto register.

For more information regarding the $.A.F.E. program, please contact Raven DeVoll at (330)297.7027 ext. 351.

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