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Veterans Financial Coalition to Launch Nationwide Training Programs in San Diego

Consumer Action and Visa Team Up to Help Vets with Money Management

On Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at 8:30 a.m., the newly formed Veterans Financial Coalition will be launching a series of training programs for community-based organizations that serve veterans in cities across the country. The first program will be held at San Diego Convention Center by Coalition partners Consumer Action and Visa.

Launched earlier this summer, the Veterans Financial Coalition is a diverse group of organizations with a shared goal to improve the financial security and wellbeing of our nation's growing population of veterans who are returning to civilian life. The Coalition's mission is based on three key goals: educate veterans and the community organizations that serve them; research and advocate for consumer protections for veterans; and raise awareness for veterans' financial needs. Founding members include the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education®, Consumer Action, the Consumer Federation of America and Visa Inc.

"There is a critical need to reach and educate San Diego's veterans to provide them with the knowledge they need to protect themselves and prosper financially. With proper training, education and access to appropriate resources, we believe veterans can make informed decisions about their financial futures," Ken McEldowney, executive director of Consumer Action.

The training sessions, led by Consumer Action's outreach managers, are designed to prepare representatives of community-based organizations to conduct one-on-one financial education counseling and group workshops using its new Military Money educational module.

The coalition has launched www.VeteransFinancialCoalition.com, a free clearinghouse of personal finance resources provided by coalition members. Interested entities can order printed copies of Consumer Action's Military Money in bulk. Any other non-profits or community groups can freely reproduce the electronic materials for educational purposes.

WHO:
Consumer Action's outreach managers, Visa and staff members and volunteers of community-based organization and social service groups, who will use this information in counseling sessions and workshops to help service members, military families and veterans understand their rights and survive economically.

WHAT:
The newly formed Veterans Financial Coalition (www.VeteransFinancialCoalition.com) will be launching a series of training programs for community-based organizations that serve veterans in cities across the country. The first program kicks-off in San Diego.

WHEN:
Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

WHERE:
San Diego Convention Center
111 W. Harbor Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92101