American Consumer Credit Counseling: Lending a Hand in Financial Literacy

American Consumer Credit Counseling issues a grant for further development of the EITC Boston Roxbury Resource Center.

Newton, MA (PRWEB) November 1, 2007 -- American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC), a non-profit organization, enhances financial literacy throughout the Greater Boston area with their Partnership for Advancement of Financial Literacy (P.A.L.) program. Each month, through the P.A.L. program, ACCC awards grants to organizations that have joined the effort to support and promote financial literacy. Last week, ACCC Community Education Supervisor, Jessica von Goeler, met with representatives from Boston Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition to award a $5,000 grant and provide educational materials for the tax site at the Roxbury Resource Center.

As a Boston Office of Jobs & Community Services, the Roxbury Resource Center (RRC) hosts one of twenty-three tax sites in the Boston area offering free tax preparation services. Currently in its fifth year of operation, the center is the largest site in the Coalition. Utilizing the efforts of nearly 200 tax preparation volunteers, the Coalition is increasing its capacity to serve over 10,000 taxpayers across Boston in 2007.

Described by Boston EITC Campaign Director, Mimi Turchinetz, as a "City-wide effort" led by Mayor Tom Manino, The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, numerous partners, sponsors, and volunteers, "the RRC is pleased to be involved with ACCC" and is excited to be moving forward in expansion. With funding from partners like ACCC, the Roxbury Resource Center is able to provide a "one stop shop" for citizens who need assistance in multiple areas. The contributed funds and educational materials will allow the RRC to offer new financial literacy programs and run more credit reports for program participants. RRC Director Alan Gentle stated "with this kind of support, Boston can remain on the 'cutting edge' [of development in these types of programs]".

The Boston EITC reaches out to all types of individuals. Working with the National Disability Institute (NDI) and the Real Economic Impact Tour, the Coalition extends services to people with disabilities. This will also be the second year for the youth program that the RRC offers, which includes tax preparation and financial classes. The program is available for students as part of career development opportunities offered at the local high school. Looking to recruit nearly 100 more volunteers, the Boston EITC Campaign will be providing training sessions early 2008.

ABOUT ACCC: American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to empowering consumers to regain control of their lives through education, counseling and debt management. ACCC provides individuals with practical solutions for solving financial problems and recognizes that consumers' financial difficulties are often not the result of poor spending habits, but more frequently from extenuating circumstances beyond their control. As one of the nation's leading providers of financial education and credit counseling services, ACCC works with consumers to help them with the best plan of action to reduce their debt and regain financial stability. For more information or to access free financial education resources log on to www.consumercredit.com.

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