The Organization for a New Equality

O•N•E's financial education workshops cover a variety of topics, including: debt and credit management, budgeting, building better banking relationships and planning for long-term financial needs. All workshops are two hours long and taught by trained O•N•E staff or volunteers. The workshops are designed to be taught in a four part series, but can also be taught as individual workshops. For more information on how to attend a workshop, or to bring workshops to your organization contact the appropriate office.

Workshops are two hours per module and are free. To sign up for a financial education workshop series at the Boston office, please contact Kenille Daniel by email or by phone at 617-424-6631, ext. 13.

• Workshop One: Getting/Staying Out of Debt
  In this workshop participants are taught different aspects of credit cards such as interest rates, minimum payments, grace period, credit limit, and fees. Also, participants are taught methods of debt elimination, how to obtain and understand credit reports and credit scores, avoid predatory lenders, establish credit, and distinguish between okay and bad debt. The goal of this workshop is to give participants an overall view of how credit works, why it is important and what steps are needed to eliminate bad debt.
• Workshop Two: Managing Your Money
  Through this workshop participants learn how to create and maintain a savings plan/budget, organize financial records and recognizing fixed vs. variable costs. Tips for saving money are presented and participants are encouraged to share their own tips for saving. The workshop also stresses the importance of paying bills on time, spending wisely and avoiding costly alternative financial options like rent-to-own centers. The ultimate goal of the workshop is to enable participants to make the most out of the money they have.
• Workshop Three: Beginning a Banking Relationship
  This workshop encourages participants to sever ties with check cashers, educates them on how to shop for a bank, select a bank account, and understand and manage account and other banking services (i.e. ATMs, online banking, investment products). The goal is for participants to look at banks as more than a place to cash a check but also as a financial partner that offers many services including loans for future investments like homeownership, education and small business.
• Workshop Four: Creating Wealth for You and Your Family
  During this workshop, participants are educated on saving, investing and determining what assets are. Additionally participants are encouraged to take advantage of community-based programs (i.e. homeownership, micro-enterprise), educational opportunities and employment benefits like 401K & 403B plans. Participants learn the importance of retirement plans and the effects of inflation on their savings. The goal is to have participants not only think about their current needs, but also secure a financial future for themselves and their families.

Sponsorship Provided by:

• Bank America
• Citizens Bank
• State Street