Four financial literacy centers open in Providence

PROVIDENCE – Four centers aiming to teach local families financial literacy and independence have opened their doors in Providence.

R.I. General Treasurer Gina Raimondo, Providence Mayor Angel Taveras and President and CEO of the Rhode Island Local Initiatives Support Corporation Michael Rubinger, celebrated the launch of the Financial Opportunity Centers on Thursday morning.

The centers will be located at Amos House, Dorcas Place Adult and Family Learning Center, the Providence Housing Authority and The Genesis Center.

The centers expect to help more than 450 local families find jobs, reduce and manage debt, gain financial literacy skills and build assets, in order to achieve financial independence, a news release said.

“The results at centers like these that are already up and running around the country are significant. We know that with the right tools, families can build their incomes and their assets in ways that have a long-term impact on their quality of life,” said Jeanne Cola, LISC local advisory committee chair.

The centers received funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service’s Social Innovation fund, and the national LISC gave Rhode Island $496,000 which was matched by The Walmart Foundation, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, the city of Providence, Making Connections Providence, Bank of America and United Way of Rhode Island.