More Money, More Problems for Chicago's Working Poor
Students Teach Life-Changing Financial Skills

Chicago, IL- Over 350 working poor Chicago residents who face considerable barriers to success (no childcare, no money to commute, no GED, etc.) will receive financial literacy services from National Student Partnerships (NSP) thanks to a grant from Smith Rothchild Financial, a lead sponsor of NSP's financial literacy program in Chicago. At NSP, local university students are trained to master the ins-and-outs of existing community resources and use their knowledge and tenacity towards helping individuals with any service they require.

"Smith Rothchild enables its clients to invest in Chicago communities and create wealth by providing them with the resources they need to purchase and rehab properties," says Kevin Werner, President of Smith Rothchild. "One of Smith Rothchild's core values is Community Enrichment, which is in line with National Student Partnerships' mission of providing low-income individuals with the necessary tools for their financial independence. NSP volunteers provide hours of personalized assistance to each Chicago client."

NSP-Chicago's financial literacy initiative, launched in the summer of 2005, is a comprehensive program, wherein volunteers educate clients on a variety of financial literacy subjects such as budgeting, opening bank accounts, obtaining and reading credit reports, managing debt, avoiding financial schemes, applying for public benefits, planning for college and retirement, and making major purchases including home ownership. As a lead partner in this effort, Smith Rothchild's support will enable the organization to introduce 90% of NSP-Chicago's clients to the program.

"Even if a client is working ten jobs, if he can't budget his money, he'll never be self-sufficient," says NSP volunteer, Lucy Mullany. Within an average year of service, NSP-Chicago clients visit the office at least three times to work with volunteers and receive support in multiple service areas (i.e. employment, housing, legal services, and food support). They are provided 13 tangible services (i.e. resume created, housing secured, enrolled in training program, etc.). In addition, clients receive a yearly average of 30 hours of invaluable listening and support services that can be shown to improve morale, increase motivation, boost confidence, and generally better equip clients to succeed in achieving their goals.

"Smith Rothchild is committed to the revitalization of Chicago area neighborhoods through community members' financial empowerment," says NSP CEO Kirsten Lodal. "It is an affirmation of NSP's local work that a corporation of this caliber has chosen to support us."

Smith Rothchild Financial has been an important part of the Chicagoland real estate community since 1981. It is their passion to help individuals achieve their dreams of wealth and financial independence. They offer their clients short-term loans to purchase and rehab residential and mixed-use properties. Smith Rothchild's loan officers are true partners with their clients, offering them the funding, advice and resources they need to succeed.