2/23/2006
Media Contact:
Monica Whitfield Brase, [317] 327-3690
Abby Hughes Holsclaw, NLC, 703-406-6031 |
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Indianapolis chosen as host for National League of Cities showcase of financial literacy programs
INDIANAPOLIS - The City of Indianapolis has been selected by the National League of Cities (NLC) as one of five cities to host a one-day "asset-building" meeting to showcase its programs to promote increased savings and greater financial stability among families with low- to moderate-incomes. Indianapolis was chosen as a result of its commitment to improving the economic well-being of low- to moderate-income families. The purpose of the visit is to provide other cities’ leaders the opportunity to learn about Indianapolis’ asset accumulation and financial literacy strategies.
"We are most successful as a city when there are ample opportunities for everyone to improve their level of financial stability," said Mayor Peterson, who also serves as NLC’s First Vice President. "Our goal is to lift up those at the lowest end of the economic spectrum and to help them improve their lives. I’m proud of the hard work our community has done to assist families in becoming economically self-sufficient."
The meeting, to be held Thursday, February 23, will take place in the Mayor’s Conference room in the City-County building, is part of the Cities Helping Families Build Assets project led by NLC’s Institute for Youth, Education, and Families and supported by a grant from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Indianapolis representatives will highlight:
· The Indianapolis Asset Building Campaign, which helps qualifying families claim the earned income tax credit, receive free tax preparation, and learn more about financial literacy and asset-building strategies;
· Get Checking, which is managed by Purdue-Extension Marion County and designed to help families gain access to mainstream financial services; and
· Financial Foundations, a program offered by the John H. Boner Center, helps individuals and families through financial education and savings programs such as Individual Development Accounts and savings accounts for young adults.
Visitors also will meet with several community partners to learn more about programs offered in Indianapolis to help young people become self-sufficient and families achieve and sustain financial growth and security. Community partners include the Chase Bank, Community Choice Federal Credit Union, Center for Working Families, Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership, Junior Achievement, Family Service Association, Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic, the Indianapolis Private Industry Council and United Way of Central Indiana.
Participants from other cities will also visit the Clarian Health Partners free tax preparation site to learn more about how corporate partners can help their employees claim the EITC and get taxes done for free.
"Free tax preparation and electronic filing are just two of the many services Clarian Health Partners offers," says Daniel F. Evans, Jr., President & CEO of Clarian Health Partners. "Clarian is committed to economic development, job creation and to improving the health of our patients and the community. We understand that by preventing illness and educating our community, we create a healthier community that results in a more robust economy for Indianapolis and our state. Clarian provides myriad services including financial education, child care services, and retirement and benefit planning to add to the success of our employees and ultimately strengthen their neighborhoods and communities. We will continue to work with our employees, our city and our citizens to attain the goal of becoming a healthy and thriving city."
Participating in the visit will be officials, city staff, and community partners from Burlington, Vt.; Louisville, Ky.; Milwaukee, Wis.; San Antonio, Tex.; and Savannah, Ga.
The Indianapolis visit is the third in a series of opportunities to share strategies, tools and materials aimed at fostering programs to increase savings and assets among low- and moderate-income populations. Cities participating in the Assets project have also visited Phoenix, Ariz. and Baltimore, Md. The final visit of the project will be to Miami, Fla.
Strengthening America through stronger cities, towns, and villages, the National League of Cities is the oldest and largest national organization for American cities. NLC serves as a resource and advocate for 18,000 cities, towns, and villages that collectively serve 225 million people. Visit www.nlc.org for more information.
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