Money Smart Financial Literacy program to start in 2011

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In partnership with Heart of West Michigan United Way,  Grand Rapids will launch its latest dream initiative a financial literacy program in 2011. The program will provide financial education for participants based on the Money Smart curriculum developed by the FDIC.

Nine years ago, the FDIC rolled out the Money Smart program to help consumers learn how to manage money and form relationships with federally insured financial institutions. The Money Smart curriculum focuses on the importance of saving for the future, comparison shopping for financial services, and being on guard against fraud, and helping consumers to understand and be able to evaluate many new financial services choices and options.

More details program time, and duration and registration info will be coming soon.

VITA plans moving forward

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Site coordinator training has been completed and plans are moving forward for Grand Rapids Dreams  to host a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site for the 2010 tax season in partnership with the Kent County Tax Credit Coalition.

Volunteers are being sought to be certified and staff the site this tax season. Volunteers only need to commit to one 4-hour shift per week throughout the tax season (mid-January through mid-April). Training and certification for tax preparation is free.

To volunteer contact Grand Rapids Dreams or visit the KCTCC volunteer web site. Be sure to list us as our site preference.

Grand Rapids Dreams welcomes new board members

board

Grand Rapids Dreams added two new members to the board. Mrs Pamela Benjamin and Mr. Kevyn Milton joined the board at the October meeting. Both Mrs. Benjamin and Mr. Milton are long time residents of Eastown. Both have been involved with the Eastown Neighborhood Association.

Pamela Benjamin helped initiate the Beyond the Corners summer program when she served as the chair of the Eastown Community Association. She has written grants adn raised money to fund that program in every year of its existence.

Kevyn Milton has been a long time community activist in the city of Grand Rapids having been more recently involved in the Michigan Prison Reentry Initiative. He has actively promoted and supported the work of Grand Rapids Dreams since its inception.