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Earn It, Keep It, Save It!
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Our Mission - The Campaign for Working Families is a prosperity campaign serving Volusia and Flagler counties of Florida. Our mission is to increase the resources available to the working poor, primarily through providing free tax preparation and financial literacy training so they can begin to build assets and become financially secure -giving people the tools to succeed -- changing the way people live.


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Day of Action Photo's

      

Money management class helps area residents, wealthy or not

By Wayne Grant

VOLUSIA COUNTY - When Ormond Beach resident Liz Christensen recently attended a United Way money management class and learned how to save for a rainy day, she did not know there was an actual rainy day - or in this case, rainy week - coming to put her lessons to good use.

Because of what she learned in the class, she had saved enough money to pay the deductible on her insurance to cover water damage to her car from the floods.

"It could have been a disaster," she said.

As part of "Day of Action," on June 20, the United Way is offering a special edition of the Money Smart classes in Daytona Beach and Deltona. Another session is scheduled for Deltona on June 27.

The tough economic times make the classes even more important, said Loretta Wilary of the United Way.

"We teach people how to earn, keep and save money, and achieve family financial stability," she said.

People learn how to pay down debt, use credit wisely and save for emergencies in the class, Ms. Wilary said.

Other topics include budgeting, understanding predatory lending, getting free credit reports, managing bank accounts, borrowing money, and handy tips such as how much you end up paying when you buy with "no money down."

Ms. Christensen said she went from being a victim to being proactive after taking the class, because she was able to watch out for herself financially.

Carol Blackman of Ormond Beach said she learned that it's not how much money you earn that's important - it's how you spend it.

"I think everybody should take the class," she said. "There were people in the class who make a lot of money and people who live paycheck to paycheck."

"It makes you more aware of what you're doing with your money and if you have enough saved," she said.

Money Smart is an FDIC program. The agency provides the materials and training for the volunteer teachers.

Those interested in learning how to better manage their money can contact Ms. Wilary at the United Way at (386) 253-0563, Ext. 236 for more information.

If there isn't room in a class on June 20, she'll discuss other upcoming opportunities with the caller, she said.

Volunteers Help Families Build Assets
Campaign for Working Families Volunteers Surpass Last Year Numbers

[May 8, 2009] — On Tuesday, May 5th, the Campaign for Working Families recognized 118 volunteers for their enormous efforts helping low-to-moderate income workers keep and save more of their hard-earned money. Key community partners like the IRS, Federal Reserve Bank, United Way of Volusia-Flagler, Center for Business Excellence and Community Foundation of East Central Florida and others were on hand to show their appreciation for the wonderful job the volunteers did throughout the last year.

“ This year volunteers supported the Volusia and Flagler Community by providing free tax preparation and financial education classes. Volunteers helped free tax preparation clients receive a total of over $3 million in refunds while saving over $326,000 in tax preparation fees. In both Flagler and Volusia counties the volunteers manned 11 free tax preparation sites during tax season. Free financial education classes helped 116 people learn how to budget, manage money and get out of debt. In addition 33 clients who attended financial education classes reported savings of $22,354 in a six month time period from lessons they had learned. In a year that has been extremely difficult for families due to economic down turn, these types of accomplishments affect not only the clients served but also our community. Campaign for Working Families’ volunteers put in a total of 7,955 hours in service to the community this year to make this possible, stated Nita Schmellick, President of Community Foundation of East Central Florida and Campaign Partner. “Their dedication and concern for others was truly evident and had a huge economic development impact on our community.”
 
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The Campaign for Working Families would not be possible without the support of Our Community Partners, Supporters and Volunteers:
Key Community Partners

 

 

 

Contact Us
Campaign for Working Families
3747 W. Intl Speedway Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL 32124
 U.S.A.
Phone: 386-253-0563
Fax: 386-253-9517
lwilary@unitedwayvfc.org