The campaign is part of a series of initiatives to help New Yorkers through the tough times. With the “Pass It On” campaign, the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Office of Financial Empowerment (OFE) will be working with faith leaders to help them provide financial guidance and information to members of their communities.
A Neighborhood Financial Study conducted by the OFE last year found that New Yorkers see faith leaders as one of their most trusted sources of information when making financial decisions. “In these tough times, many New Yorkers are seeking financial advice from the people they trust, and we know a great number turn to their clergy,” said Bloomberg in a press statement.
“By working in collaboration with churches, synagogues and mosques throughout the City, we will be able to reach thousands of individuals who might not otherwise have turned to the City for help,” said Bloomberg. “The new `Pass It On' campaign will further expand the reach of our Financial Education Network and serves as a reminder that we are all in this together and that we have a responsibility to help each other as much as possible.”
Faith leaders will be informing their communities about free and low-cost financial education resources that are available through the City’s Financial Education Network, and will be encouraging them to pass the information on to others. The OFE will be provided with a packet of financial information, the City’s Financial Empowerment Toolkit for Faith Leaders. Also available will be “Pass It On” cards for faith leaders to distribute.
“The City’s many dedicated faith leaders are perfect partners to help us get the word to New Yorkers about the many free and trustworthy financial education and counseling options available in every borough,” said Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jonathan Mintz. “New Yorkers are facing everyday financial challenges and we really can help them take control.”
As a part of the campaign, the OFE will be training hundreds of faith leaders from all denominations on the financial services that are available through the city. They will be taught tips to share with their congregants who are facing financial hardships as well as learning ways to manage debt and how to offer financial counseling.
“During times of crisis, people often rely on their religious leaders for advice - spiritual and financial,” said Rabbi Yechezkel Pikus. “Now with the City’s assistance, we will be better able to help people make the right economic choices and point them to expert services. Our work together here today to overcome our current economic challenges is a fitting reminder during a time of year in which people of Jewish faith remember that no odds are ever insurmountable.”
Included in the information will be ways of teaching children about credit and setting a good example to kids by setting money aside and saving. There is also information on how to manage credit cards, keep debt under control, as well as ways of claiming tax credits.
“Financial hardship can seem daunting and overwhelming to families,” said faith leader Imam Shamsi Ali. “But through this partnership, the information given and the hope that it instills will make a world of difference. As long as we all pull together and continue to help one another, we will come out of these tough times stronger than ever before.”
