The Aurora Public Library District (APLD) will offer a highlight for Financial Literacy Month this month with several money-smart program options for teens and adults. To start the festivities, we will be partners with the office of State representative Barbara Hernandez to offer a virtual debt management session, Managing Debt so it Doesn’t Manage You!, Thursday, April 15 at 6 p.m. in Spanish and 7:30 p.m. in English.
This program is presented by KCT Credit Union financial wellness educator, Marlen Glenn, who will provide insights into the drawbacks and potential benefits of debt. Most people are taught that all debt is bad or harmful, but Glenn will shed light on the ways certain types of debt actually can help build credit and provide a measure of financial freedom. Attendees will walk away from this seminar with an informed approach to debt management that will empower them to make the best choices for improved credit and increased financial success. They can have their questions answered in the Q&A at the end!
Unlike banks, credit unions such as KCT are not-for-profit and member-owned, prioritizing the financial needs of users with an emphasis on community education and information-sharing. At a time when many individuals are suffering economic hardship due to pandemic-fueled layoffs and setbacks, there is an urgent need for objective and credible financial literacy information that is accessible to Spanish speakers in Aurora and nearby communities. We all grapple with exactly how to landscape our own unique debt portfolios, programs such as that offered by the KCT Credit Union are indispensable to supporting equitable financial scenarios for all individuals and business-owners.
“We are thrilled to work with State representative Barbara Hernandez and her team, along with the trusted experts at KCT Credit Union, to help residents in Aurora get back on a track toward financial wellness and overall economic equity. Indeed, it is our mission to provide resources through public programming, library materials, and vital services to restore our community and bounce back even stronger,” said Krista Danis, events and program coordinator, at the Aurora Public Library District.
This dynamic trio will return to provide continued opportunities for community education throughout the year, with the next event in May and will focus on the advantages and drawbacks to home ownership, as well as financial strategies for securing a low-interest loan.
Managing Debt so it Doesn’t Manage You! is offered through Zoom and is accessible online, or by phone. Registration is required and available at www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/event/4890271 for the English-language session or www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/event/4921074 for the Spanish-language session. Once registered, participants will receive an exclusive link to join the webinar. Closed captions will be made available for increased access. Both sessions are free and open to the public, and will be streamed live on Facebook. No Facebook profile? No problem! Simply visit www.facebook.com/APLibraryIL or www.facebook.com/APLBiblioteca to tune in live!
Do you have a program idea that might make a fantastic addition to our lineup? Let us know about it on our website at www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/program-proposal!