As executive director for Share, I can report that our mission focuses not only on serving the emergency needs of individuals and families, but also providing services to gain self-sufficiency, including financial programs that incorporate financial education.
A recent study revealed that about 24 percent of Americans have more credit card debt than emergency savings. As Feb. 25 to March 2 marks “America Saves Week,” we encourage those looking for financial help to seek out local programs:
Share’s Individual Development Account Program helps people save for a future asset — a down payment on a home, starting a business or pursuing higher education. The Ways to Work Program, operated by Metropolitan Family Service, provides qualified working parents with loans to purchase or repair vehicles. The Clark County Asset Building Coalition is dedicated to financially preparing people to succeed by offering education for the purpose of building assets.
And thousands of working families and individuals are eligible to receive an Earned Income Tax Credit from the IRS. Community Housing Resource Center and AARP provide free tax help and dialing 211 can help people locate those sites.
