NeighborWorks America Urges Americans to Test Their Financial Fitness and Take Part in Financial Education Courses

For Immediate Release

April 10, 2007
Contact: Erin Angell, NeighborWorks® America, 202-220-6317, eangell@nw.org

NeighborWorks America Urges Americans to Test Their Financial Fitness and Take Part in Financial Education Courses

Washington, DC - With foreclosures, subprime mortgage lending, and personal debt making headlines this spring, NeighborWorks America is marking April as Financial Fitness Month by encouraging consumers to test their fiscal fitness and enroll in financial education courses available at local community development organizations.

Without access to quality information and guidance, many families can miss opportunities to maximize wealth building opportunities, or worse, fall into traps that eventually lead to financial ruin.

Across the nation, nearly 100 local NeighborWorks® organizations offer personal finance courses that teach community residents better money management skills that can help put them on the path to decreasing debt and increasing resources – including long-term homeownership, while creating more financially fit area consumers year-round. Financial literacy can also help families become more aware of common pitfalls, including consumer scams and predatory lending practices, and how to avoid them.

Financial education is a critical need for consumers and for our nation’s communities. Being financially fit is the key to building wealth — regardless of income. For families, financial education can continue to promote stronger and more stable neighborhoods.

To test your financial fitness, take the Financial Fitness for Life quiz at www.nw.org/network/newsroom/documents/financialFitnessQuiz_000.pdf.

For more information about personal finance courses and other services offered by local NeighborWorks organizations across the country, visit www.nw.org/network/neighborworksprogs/financialfitness/default.asp.

NeighborWorks America provides financial support, technical assistance and training for communities across the nation through the NeighborWorks network of over 235 nonprofit organizations covering nearly 4,500 urban, suburban and rural communities. These organizations engage in revitalization strategies that strengthen communities and transform lives. In the last five years alone, NeighborWorks organizations have generated more than $12 billion in reinvestment and helped more than 845,000 families of modest means purchase or improve their homes, or secure safe, decent rental or mutual housing.

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