Literacy Programs Near You

Jasper · Lake · LaPorte · Newton · Porter · Starke
Indiana · National · Financial Literacy

We've listed the programs by each county, and there are two types of programs: comprehensive adult education programs and volunteer programs. Comprehensive adult education programs offer a variety of services including Adult Basic Education ("ABE"), English as a Second Language ("ESL"), and General Educational Development ("GED") test preparation. For an expanded definition of these terms, please visit the Glossary web page. Volunteer programs are one-on-one tutoring or small group classes.

Information on local programs for WorkOne, Workforce Development, and Twenty-first Century Scholars is listed on the Indiana web page.

ABE programs encourage the establishment/development of the following:

• Enable all adults to acquire the basic literacy skills necessary to function successfully in today's society.
• Enable adults who so desire to continue their education to at least the level of completion of secondary school.
• Enable adults who have graduated to remediate their basic skill level.
• Assist adults in meeting the employment challenges of the future. To remain competitive in the job market, our learners must be part of an educated workforce.
• Assist the individual in fostering a positive sense of self worth.
• Assist adults with establishing goals whether educational, employment social, personal or communal.
• Assist adults in having a positive effect on their children's education.

Financial Literacy Programs

Centier Bank offers incentives for consumers to increase their financial knowledge

Recognizing the importance of financial education, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has created a program titled, Money Smart, which is available in both English and Spanish. Their computer based instruction (CBI) is a friendly and easy to use learning tool that teaches ten computerized money management lessons. The CBI can complement formal classes or enable people to study independently at their own pace. Each module takes approximately 20-30 minutes to complete. Students receive ongoing feedback and, upon successful completion of each module, can print out a personalized certificate of completion. "We believe this project will help students enhance their money skills and open the door for them to create positive banking relationships for their future." said Glenn Brewer, Acting Community Affairs Officer for the Chicago Region of the FDIC.

Centier Bank, an FDIC Money Smart Alliance member, is now offering incentives for completion of the ten modules, which are:

1. Bank on It — an introduction to bank services
2. Borrowing Basics — an introduction to credit
3. Check It Out — how to choose and keep a checking account
4. Money Matters — how to keep track of your money
5. Pay Yourself First — why you should save, save, save
6. Keep It Safe — your rights as a consumer
7. To Your Credit — how your credit history will affect your credit future
8. Charge It Right — how to make a credit card work for you
9. Loan to Own — know what you’re borrowing before you buy
10. Your Own Home — what home ownership is all about

Participants must live in an area where Centier Bank has a presence. Students will be able to print a personalized certificate upon successful completion of each module; which should be dated by the student. Centier Bank will mail one (1) $25 gift card to each participant upon receipt of the certificates of completion for the first eight modules (1-8), offer a 1/4% reduction on a mortgage loan with the certificate of completion for module 9, and a 1/4% reduction on a home equity loan with the certificate of completion for module 10. Michael E. Schrage, Centier Bank’s President and CEO, stated "This unique partnership allows Centier Bank the opportunity to partner with the communities and schools in Northern Indiana in both classroom and individual settings. We believe this project will enhance financial literacy and create positive banking relationships well into the future."

The School City of Hammond is the first school entity to offer the program to their students. Dr. Steve Watson, Director at Hammond Adult Education, believes that "This is another tool to be used in making effective financial decisions for both our English, and limited English speaking adults. They will be able to acquire the financial knowledge and skills they so critically need to better manage their personal financial affairs."

The individual lessons are currently available on Centier’s financial literacy page www.centier.com/community/schools and; School City of Hammond’s website www.hammond.k12.in.us.; FDIC’s link is http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/moneysmart/mscbi/mscbi.html.

Centier Bank also welcomes the opportunity to coordinate "train the trainer" sessions for schools or organizations that prefer to use these programs in a classroom setting. For more information, contact Dian Reyome, Centier Bank Community Relations Coordinator at dreyome@centier.com or 662-3333 x 323. All successfully completed module certificates should be mailed to her at 109 East Joliet Street, Crown Point, IN 46307. Please include return name and address so that the incentive/coupon can be mailed to the student.

For more information on Centier’s financial literacy efforts, please visit Centier Bank website.

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Northwest Indiana Literacy Coalition
P.O. Box 3386
Munster, IN 46321