Safety, Financial Security, and Wealth Building Workshops Headline the UNHP & JARC West Bronx Financial Empowerment Event
UNHP and the Jerome Avenue Revitalization Collaborative (JARC) sponsored the day-long Financial Empowerment Event featuring three workshops, access to resources and services, and free tax preparation provided by the People’s Center for Economic Independence. Pictured are Michael from BXEDC, Jumelia for UNHP, Winiffer and Kerry from WHEDco, and Roman Jackson Vice President of Community Policy Solutions at JobsFirstNYC and the JARC. JARC is a cross-sector place-based economic and workforce development partnership seeking to support businesses and residents impacted by the rezoning of the Jerome Avenue corridor through a community-sanctioned, organized, and led approach.
UNHP and the Jerome Avenue Revitalization Collaborative (JARC) hosted a Financial Empowerment Community Event on Saturday, March 15th at Serviam Hall. Working with partners, Fordham Bedford Community Services (FBCS), Peoples Center for Economic Independence (PCEI), Whedco, LES People’s Federal Credit Union, BXEDC, Amalgamated Bank, Northern Manhattan Immigrant Coalition (NMIC) and the Mayor’s Office for Community Engagement, the event offered three workshops, 1:1 availability with the partner group services and through PCEI and UNHP’s experienced volunteers, free tax preparation. The event attracted 40 attendees. Simultaneous translation and childcare were available for all attendees.
Workshops focusing on safety, financial security, and asset building were held throughout the day. The Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC) offered a timely workshop on immigrant rights, new executive orders, and NYC Sanctuary Laws. Amalgamated Bank offered a Financial Security workshop with information for all, especially the senior citizens who live on the Serviam affordable housing campus. The Amalgamated workshop provided information and remedies on Identity Theft, Financial Security, and Exploitation. LES People’s Federal Credit Union and Bronx Economic Development Corporation teamed up to offer a workshop on wealth-building products to support homeownership and small business start-ups. Simultaneous translation facilitated everyone’s understanding of the information and helped with the Q & A period.
Safety, Financial Security, and Asset Building Workshops
The UNHP & JARC Financial Empowerment Community Event offered three workshops. The Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC) offered a detailed workshop at 11 am to provide timely information to the immigrant community on the new executive orders, their rights, and ways to maintain safety for their families. The attorney presenter explained NYC Sanctuary laws and unlawful requests for information and searches. Phishing, Skimming, and Pharming were all topics for the next discussion in the Amalgamated Bank-led Identify Theft, Financial Security, and Financial Exploitation workshop. Veronica Moses & Sandra Lombardi provided information on avoiding scams, protecting your financial identity, and addressing security breaches. They also answered the many questions from attendees. The last workshop of the day was led by BxEDC and LES People’s Federal Credit Union and focused on wealth building. The workshop looked at low-cost loans and resources that can help lower-income families grow their money and look at buying their first home or starting a business.
Thanks to the nonprofit arm of the LES People’s Federal Credit Union, the People’s Center for Economic Independence, (PCIE) offered on-site free tax preparation services. PCEI offers this service regularly at the Bronx People’s Federal Credit Union by appointment. UNHP relied on our team of expert volunteer tax preparers to assist at the event. It was good to be back with our volunteers and long-time program users. A few filers brought their now adult and earning children to file their first tax returns.
UNHP as a member of the Bronx Financial Access Coalition (BxFac) was thrilled to announce the opening of the Bronx People’s Federal Credit Union in December at its Bronx location on 941 Intervale Avenue. The Credit Union working with its nonprofit arm, People’s Center for Economic Independence (PCEI) offers free tax preparation by appointment at multiple locations including Intervale Avenue. PCEI offered by appointment tax prep services at the Financial Empowerment event with the assistance of UNHP’s experienced tax prep volunteers. 20 people were able to file their taxes for free during the day-long Financial Empowerment event and take advantage of the workshops offered at the same time. For a list of free in-person, virtual, and drop-off sites in NYC click here.
Collaboration, partnership, and resource sharing is how UNHP rolls! A big thank you to our private, nonprofit, and public partners who worked to make the event a success!
Thank you to all who made the Financial Empowerment Event a success – Jerome Avenue Revitalization Collaborative (JARC) Fordham Bedford Community Services (FBCS), Peoples Center for Economic Independence (PCEI), Whedco, LES People’s Federal Credit Union, BXEDC, Amalgamated Bank, Northern Manhattan Immigrant Coalition (NMIC) Jose from the Mayor’s Office for Community Engagement, Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation and staff for the use of Serviam Hall, our tax volunteers and our young volunteers from Mt St. Ursula and Fordham Prep.
Jose from the Mayor’s Office of Public Engagement regularly provides tenant services at the Northwest Bronx Resource Center. He assists tenants with landlord harassment and eviction prevention services. Call or text UNHP at (718) 933 – 3102 to make an appointment with Tenant Support, financial coaching, or the NYC Rent Freeze.