Toledo agency offers free program to teach financial literacy

Jessica Darrington knew her credit score wasn't anywhere near stellar, and the Bowling Green resident had questions about how to save money on car insurance and other financial issues.

So when the single mother of two young girls found out about a free financial literacy program that's being offered by Community Credit Counseling Specialists Inc. in Toledo, she signed up.

Ms. Darrington received a workbook to go through before having a session with Dona Graves, the agency's education director, and getting instruction on how to teach her girls to save money.

Plus, Ms. Graves is keeping track of her for three years, another benefit for Ms. Darrington as she works to lessen her debt and improve her credit score.

"That really sparked my interest because it's nice to have somebody coach you," said the 26-year-old.

Community Credit Counseling Specialists this year received a $126,000 grant from Chase Card Services, the credit card division of JPMorgan Chase & Co., to offer the three-year program called Quest for Financial Literacy.

Ms. Graves developed the program, which focuses on helping the entire family, including children as young as 4.

"It doesn't do any good to target just one person in the family," she said.

In Ms. Darrington's case, that means helping her older daughter, 7-year-old Ja'Line Whitlow, keep a three-sectioned bank to cover saving, spending, and shar-ing money.

Ja'Line plans to put money from the savings section in a bank account when it is full, and she wants to donate to the Wood County Humane Society with money from the sharing section. She will spend money from the third section on items she wants most.

"I want her to know it does cost money to get the things you want," Mrs. Darrington said. "You have to prioritize."

Ja'Line even decorated a piggy bank, in which she puts money she wants to spend.

"I'm going to wait until it gets filled," the girl said.

Ms. Graves, who previously has won grant money from Chase, said program participants get free credit reports with credit scores annually and advice on how to improve them.

They also get help setting up a family budget and tracking expenses, as well as developing a savings plan, she said.

Families, couples without children, college students, and single people from Ohio and Michigan may take part in the free financial literacy program.

For more information, contact Ms. Graves at 419-865-2333.

Contact Julie M. McKinnon at:

jmckinnon@theblade.com

or 419-724-6087.