The NYCHA Journal

The NYCHA Journal has informed and inspired residents since 1970, covering the news, contributions, and uplifting stories of the NYCHA community while providing the latest information on Authority initiatives.

image with piggy bank, books, money, and a post it note with "Financial Literacy" and the NYCHA REES logo on it
REES Top Story 

April Is Financial Literacy Month

LaToya

April is National Financial Literacy Month, a time to take stock of your financial wellness and take advantage of available resources that can help you gain important skills to improve your finances.  

NYCHA’s Office of Resident Economic Empowerment and Sustainability (REES) is a one-stop resource shop that connects public housing and Section 8 residents to financial empowerment services. REES collaborates with partners throughout New York City to help participants achieve their financial goals, through guidance on reviewing credit reports for errors, re-building or establishing credit, learning how to reduce debt and budget, building emergency savings, taking steps to own a home or start a business, and more. 

“Financial literacy is one of the building blocks of economic mobility, empowerment, and freedom,” said Mary Olushoga, REES Assistant Director. “At REES, one of our program pillars is to support the financial growth and capabilities of NYCHA residents. We do not do this work alone. We are glad to work collaboratively with our community-based organizations and private sector and government agency partners and look forward to supporting our residents by empowering them with the necessary information, knowledge, and resources to help guide them to get to their next level – so that they can be economically empowered and continue to attain the necessary financial growth and personal goals that they have set for themselves and their families. It is why we are here.”  

In celebration of Financial Literacy Month, REES launched the Smart Money Series, an initiative aimed at helping residents obtain financial literacy education and reach their economic mobility goals. Through the series, REES worked in partnership with Citizens Bank to provide residents with a workshop to help them build their credit for future homeownership. REES also organized tax preparation workshops for self-employed residents, highlighting tax centers where residents could file their taxes for free. Many other REES initiatives also support financial literacy, such as a partnership with the Office of Financial Empowerment which provided financial counseling to NYCHA entrepreneurs in the Food Business Pathways program.  

REES’s website features a calendar of upcoming information sessions on various services and programs. For instance, residents of Coney Island, Coney Island I (Sites 4 & 5), and Surfside Gardens can learn more about how the Coney Island Jobs-Plus site can help them with financial and budget counseling, improving credit, opening a bank account, and more at info sessions on April 17 and April 23. Or Section 8 residents can learn more about how to build savings through the Family Self-Sufficiency Program at an info session on April 17. 

To learn more about REES’s offerings, attend an info session online or in person – the next in-person session is on April 17 at 10 a.m. For additional information sessions and events, visit http://opportunitynycha.org/events/.  

You can also subscribe to the REES newsletter to get information via email about employment assistance, job training, adult education, financial counseling, and resident business development initiatives. Subscribe here, or call the REES hotline at 718-289-8100.