The initiative is a partnership between the Foundation, The Oliver Law Group and Junior Achievement of South Florida, whose financial literacy and real-world experiential learning programs currently reach thousands of students through JA BizTown and Finance Park programs. Responding to demand from major area employers for similar programs, Junior Achievement will create an interactive curriculum that arms adults with much needed skills, with an emphasis on responsible credit use.
Melissa Aiello, JA president, said, “Financial hardship takes a toll on families and in the workplace. Employers recognize that it is a major workplace issue and want to help. With this initiative, we can play that role in a creative and substantive way.”
In addition to the Foundation’s financial commitment to seed the program, the partnership draws on the extensive experience and resources of The Oliver Law Group’s Debt Forgiveness Negotiation Practice Group.
“The lawyers and legal assistants in the Firm’s Debt Forgiveness Negotiation department work on a daily basis with families who want desperately to do the right thing in the face of crushing debt,” said Oliver. “Through the Foundation grant and our Firm’s partnership with JA of South Florida, we have the opportunity to help people to avoid the pitfalls of credit use in the first place.”
Aiello said the program will be developed for a launch at the start of 2011. The Debt Education Foundation and The Oliver Law Group intend to provide ongoing support.
