Hopelink Classes Help Low-Income Residents Make the Most of Their Limited Financial Resources

Bellevue, Wash. – Hopelink, celebrating 35 years of helping low-income residents in north and east King County make lasting change in their lives, is offering a free series of evening money management classes to help low-income citizens maximize their financial resources.

The series is sponsored by HSBC and begins Wednesday, June 7, and continues until Wednesday, August 2 (no class on Wednesday, July 19).  Class instructors are bankers from the local community.  Classes in the series are:

• Banking & Budgeting, part 1 & part 2:  June 7 and June 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Covers basics of the U.S. banking system; setting financial goals; creating and maintaining a basic household budget; teaching children about saving money; detecting and avoiding fraud.  
• Credit Management, part 1 & part 2:  June 21 and June 28, 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Covers the benefits, risks and necessity of credit; how to read and understand a credit report; teaching children about responsible use of credit; detecting and avoiding identity theft.  
• Introduction to Home Ownership:  July 5, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. – Covers special loan programs available to low-income citizens; how to purchase a first home; applying for a mortgage; how lenders evaluate mortgage loan applications.
• Taxes & Insurance:  July 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Covers details of auto, home and life insurance; determining how much insurance is needed; getting the best deal on insurance.
• Homebuyer’s Education, part 1 & part 2:  July 26 and August 2, 6:00 – 8:45 p.m. – Covers the loan process and available low-interest loan programs.  Those who attend both parts of this class will receive the Washington State Housing Finance Commission certification needed for down payment assistance and discounted insurance rates.

All classes will be held at Hopelink’s Bellevue Center, at 14812 Main Street.  

Spanish interpretation will be available at all classes.  Those who register in advance can take advantage of free child care.  For more information and to register, call 425.943.7577.  

About Hopelink
Since 1971, Hopelink has served homeless and low-income families, children, seniors and people with disabilities in north and east King County by promoting self-sufficiency for all members of our community and helping people make lasting change. Hopelink assists people with meeting their needs for food, shelter, homelessness prevention, child development, family development and stabilization, transportation and adult literacy skills. For more information on Hopelink and its services, call 425.869.6000 or visit www.hope-link.org.

Media Contacts
Denise Stephens, Public Relations Specialist, office: 425.869.2440, denises@hope-link.org
Glen Miller, Communications Manager, office: 425.869.6025, cell: 206.790.5410, glenm@hope-link.org