Financial Empowerment Summit Aims to Remove Obstacles for Youth

CHICAGO - June 19, 2014 - PRLog -- (Chicago, IL)  The Illinois Jump$tart Coalition (ILJC) for Personal Financial Literacy is launching a major new initiative this summer in Chicago called the Action Network for Financial Empowerment (ANFE).  A diverse spectrum of professionals, who devote their working lives to helping young people realize their dreams, will convene at the Chicago Fed on July 24-25, where they will be exposed to the most effective tools and informed voices in financial education. The goal of this event is to provide actionable strategies participants can take back to their communities and organizations to improve outcomes for the youth they serve.

Even though a wide array of proven tools and programs are available to suit every learning opportunity and every age group, educators and youth services providers can be overwhelmed by the prospect of delivering financial education. To ensure the success of those youth who are currently financially illiterate, awareness about available resources must be raised, getting these tools into capable hands and then supporting their efforts to effect change.  This is the only way to ensure these at-risk youth avoid becoming involved in future bankruptcies, foreclosures, victims of fraud and/or debt-burdened adults.

One very unique aspect of this summit is the post-event support that will be provided to participants via a dedicated information-sharing platform.  The plan is to establish and energize a network of advocates that, with ILJC’s assistance, can execute financial education strategies and share their results with the group. Going forward, new members will benefit from the collective experience of the network and then contribute their own success stories.

Capacity for the ANFE Summit is limited and reservations are required.  For more information or to register visit www.illinoisjumpstart.org or call 800-237-4958 ext 4.

The mission of the Illinois Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy is to be a catalyst for enhancing the financial capability of young people through advocacy, collaboration and communication among key stakeholders. For more information about ILJC, or on how to become a member of their professional association, visit www.illinoisjumpstart.org or contact ILJC Coalition President, Brian Israel, at 800-237-4958.