[Archived] Financial Education Campaign “Kick-Off Seminar”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 23, 2009

The City of Alexandria and the Alexandria Dollar Wi$e Committee are presenting a free Financial Education Campaign “Kick-Off Seminar” from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, January 31 at Mount Vernon School, 2601 Commonwealth Ave. The event marks the beginning of the financial education and literacy program for the City.

Participants will be able to hear opening remarks from Mayor Euille and a presentation from David G. Speck, a nationally recognized authority in the field of mutual fund investing and a specialist in individual investment planning and tax-advantaged investments. Mr. Speck, a former member of the Alexandria City Council and a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates, was named one of ten outstanding brokers in the United States by “Registered Representative,” the trade journal of the brokerage industry. The topic of Speck’s presentation is “The Secret of Financial Health—Hint: It Does Not Come from Winning the Lottery.”

Afterwards, participants can choose a workshop to attend:

Creative Savings Strategies
Decreasing Your Debt
The Dangers of Pay Day Loans
Managing Your Money (conducted in Spanish, this will be an overview of the first three workshops)

Representatives from BB&T Bank, Commonwealth 1, Shiloh Baptist Church Credit Union and the National Urban League will be available to field questions and distribute information. For additional information on the kickoff event, call Darryl Edwards at 703.838.4350.

In-depth training will be available beginning in February, covering such topics as banking services and checking accounts, how to keep track of your money, why you should save, your rights as a consumer, how your credit history affects your credit future, guidelines for smart borrowing, and how to manage debt, among other topics. Training for youths will also be available.

The Dollar Wi$e campaign is an initiative of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and Alexandria has been a participant the last two years. The Alexandria Dollar Wi$e Committee consists of representatives from community groups, local financial institutions, and staff.

The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the City’s Human Rights Code and the American’s with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation or to request materials in an alternate format, please call david.delrosario@alexandriava.gov, 703.838.4350 (TTY/TDD 703.838.5056).