Gayle V. Economos

Media Contact: Gayle V. Economos GVE Media/Public Relations, LLC C: 443-253-8191 W: 410-437-7483 [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NONPROFIT MARYLAND CASH CAMPAIGN CELEBRATES NATIONAL “MONEY SMART WEEK®” APRIL 23-30 Free special Maryland CASH Academy classes offered statewide by Maryland CASH & its partners as part of April’s “Financial Education Month”

XXXX, MARYLAND. The nonprofit Maryland CASH (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) Campaign and its partners across Maryland are celebrating April as national “Financial Education Month” by joining “Money Smart Week®” April 23-30. “Money Smart Week®” is a nationwide public awareness campaign that promotes financial education across all age groups. The Maryland CASH Campaign will offer special opportunities for Marylanders to attend events, classes and workshops where they can learn new ways to better manage their personal finances. All events, workshops and classes are FREE and part of the Maryland CASH Academy!

During “Money Smart Week®”, the Maryland CASH Campaign’s signature program, the Maryland CASH Academy, will offer fifteen classes held throughout Maryland including classes in Baltimore City and the following counties: Allegany, Baltimore, Charles, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s. Locate the class near you at www.mdcashacademy.org. The Maryland CASH Academy is the state’s only online resource for free or low-cost in-person classes on financially-related topics such as creating budgets, building/repairing credit, home buying, saving for the future, and more. All the classes with locations, topics and times are listed below.

Participants in the Maryland CASH Academy’s “Passport to Prosperity” program during Financial Education Month who have signed up and earned at least three points anytime in the month of April will be entered into a drawing where three will win a $25 cash card to redeem at either a gas station or grocery store – their choice. The Maryland CASH Academy launched its “Passport to Prosperity” incentive program in 2014 to encourage participants to take charge of their finances and create excitement about learning. Anyone interested in joining “Passport to Prosperity” can sign up online at http://mdcashacademy.org/passport-to-prosperity.

“‘Money Smart Week’ has become an important part of April’s Financial Education Month,” comments Robin McKinney, Director, Maryland CASH Campaign. “It’s a great opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of building a more secure financial future for themselves and their families and the classes being offered though the Maryland CASH Academy help do just that. And of course, all the classes are free! The Maryland CASH Campaign and our partners statewide want everyone to remember that it can be fun to build your financial IQ, one class at a time.” Across the U.S., “Money Smart Week®” events are open to the public at businesses, financial institutions, schools, libraries, nonprofits and government on topics including kids and money, unemployment, managing student debt and retirement. Started by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in 2002, “Money Smart Week®” consists of public and private partner organizations offering thousands of free classes, seminars and other educational activities. www.moneysmartweek.org

2016 Maryland CASH Campaign “Money Smart Week” Classes

Allegany County Tuesday, April 26, 12:30-1:45PM and Wednesday 27, 3-4:15PM “Tips and Tools for Managing Your Money” Frostburg University Ort Library 1 Susan Eisel Drive Frostburg, MD 21532 Baltimore City Wednesday, April 27, 5-6PM “1 Hour to Savvy Cyber Security: 20 Threats Every Person and Business Face” Enoch Free Library 400 Cathedral Street Baltimore, MD 21202

Wednesday, April 27, 5:30-8:30PM “Thinking Money: The Psychology Behind Our Best and Worst Financial Decisions” SMC Campus Center at UMD 621 West Lombard Street Baltimore, MD 21201

Thursday, April 28, 6:30- 8PM “Understanding Credit” Randallstown Library 8604 Liberty Road Randallstown, MD 21133

Baltimore County Monday, April 25, 5-6PM “Money and Sense: Practical Steps Toward Achieving Financial Wellness” Albert S. Cook Library, Towson University 8000 York Road Baltimore, MD 21252

Wednesday, April 27, 1-5PM “Credit Café” Albert S. Cook Library, Towson University 8000 York Road Baltimore, MD 21252

Wednesday, April 27, 5-6PM “Credit 101” Albert S. Cook Library, Towson University 8000 York Road Baltimore, MD 21252

Charles County Saturday, April 30, 9:30AM-1:30PM “Money Matters” Waldorf West Branch 10405 O’Donnell Place Waldorf, MD 20603

Frederick County Saturday, April 23, 9:30AM-2:30PM “Growing Stronger Together: A Class for Moms and Teenage Daughters” Weinberg Apartments 222 Broadway Street Frederick, MD 21701

Tuesday, April 26, 10-10:30AM “Ready, Set, Go! Are You Ready to Start Your Business” Small Business Development Center 5340 Spectrum Drive, Suite A Frederick, MD 21703

Garrett County Date, Time & Topic Pending – Check www.mdcashacademy.org for updates

Harford County Thursday, April 28, 4-6PM “Earn It, Plan It, Keep It” Harford Community Action Agency 1010 Gateway Road Edgewood, MD 21040

Howard County Sunday, April 24 th 11AM-2PM “Money Matters Fair” MakingChange Long Reach High School 5460 Trumpeter Road Columbia, MD 21046

Montgomery County Tuesday, April 26, 6-8PM “Money Matters” Catholic Charities 12247 Georgia Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20902 Prince George’s County Saturday, April 23, 10AM-3PM “2016 Money Explosion: A Financial Fair” Prince Georges Community College 301 Largo Road Largo, MD 20774

Saturday, April 30, 12-1PM “Credit Repair: Do It Yourself Workshop” Largo-Kettering Library 9601 Capital Lane Upper Marlboro, MD 20774

ABOUT THE MARYLAND CASH (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) CAMPAIGN: The Maryland CASH Campaign is a statewide network of organizations that promotes programs, products and policies that increase the financial security of low-to moderate- income individuals and families across Maryland. Maryland CASH advocates on behalf of these families, as well as provides financial education programs such as the Maryland CASH Academy at http://www.mdcashacademy.org/. Their partner organizations provide free tax preparation sites offering access to appropriate financial services and benefits screening. For more information, contact Ms. Robin McKinney, Director of the Maryland CASH Campaign, at [email protected] or 443-692-9422. www.mdcash.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mdcashacademy Twitter: @Maryland_CASH @MDCASHAcademy