In honor of Financial Literacy Month, and in collaboration with the Hunger Coalition and the nonprofit organization Money Fit, Blaine County Charitable Fund will be offering FREE “Debt Reduction and Credit Building” strategy sessions April 10th & 11th. Sessions will be conducted in English from 4:00-6:00 p.m. and in Spanish from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The offering will take place at the Hunger Coalition, with dinner and childcare to be provided. Topics will include: · Learning effective debt management and credit-building strategies · Understanding key financial behaviors and their impact on the future · Gaining insights into debt settlement, bankruptcy, and their consequences This two-part series will equip attendees with a step-by-step plan for improving credit, understanding debt management vs. debt settlement, and recognizing the potential consequences of bankruptcy, with the opportunity to earn a Certificate of Completion. Blaine County Charitable Fund (BCCF) began connecting clients with Money Fit’s services after learning about their regional resources through a grant both organizations operated under through Idaho Housing & Finance Association. “Although employment and market factors will always keep many in our community struggling month to month, we often see our clients turning to high interest payday loans and credit cards to manage their expenses. And of course, the resulting effect is a mountain of debt and/or poor credit that will keep households buried longer than necessary,” shared Maira Conlago, Family Care Manager at BCCF. According to Todd Christensen, Money Fit’s Financial Educator and Counselor, “we are dedicated to helping individuals and families take control of their financial future. As a nonprofit, we believe that education, personalized guidance, and the right resources can empower anyone to overcome financial challenges.” Money Fit offers a variety of debt and credit services, financial education, and is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. At Moneyfit.org they have a library of videos and helpful articles related to these any other topics. One of BCCF’s clients, Debra Bates, received debt consolidating help through Money Fit and shared this: “Iwas really struggling to pay my bills. I got to such a point that I was in so much debt that I didn't know how l was going to pay for groceries, or pay these companies, or how I was going to live. Thank heavens BCCF helped me with my rent so that I could pay down some of my debt, but also you helped me figure out how to consolidate my debt so I could have a lower payment and have some money to live on. It's such a weight off my shoulders... all of the worry... all of the stress. I'm so grateful to the Blaine County Charitable Fund and for those that have donated. I don't know what I would have done without it.” Interested individuals can sign up for this two-part series by contacting Maira Conlago at 208-244-5205 ext. 701 or maira@blainecf.org. The deadline to sign up is Monday April 7th. DATES: Thursday April 10 AND Friday April 11 (attendees should attend both)TIMES: 4:00-6:00 p.m. for English, 6:00-8:00 p.m. for SpanishLOCATION: Hunger Coalition, 110 Honeysuckle St., Bellevue COST: Free!