DFA In the Community
Debt-Free America is dedicated to providing FREE credit counseling and financial literacy education to help consumers of all ages and income levels learn competent money management skills. Our goal is to serve the community through programs/ workshops, in-class room presentations and teacher trainings for K-12, and by being out in community.
3rd Annual East County Financial Freedom Day and Homeownership Fair
In El Cajon, CA –October 20, 2007
U.S. Bank’s 3rd Annual East County Financial Freedom & Homeownership Fair,
Presented by Washington Mutual held at the Ronald Regan Community Center
in El Cajon, CA is a free event for the community. Attendees enjoyed vendors,
food, music, kids activities, property tours and financial literacy seminars.
This annual event aims to provide consumers with personal financial literacy
education, technical assistance to residents and small business owners and
promote community revitalization.
Morse High School - October 19, 2007
Our Director of Education, Nan Pace, participated in the 2nd Annual Principal for a Day program sponsored by Merrill Lynch and coordinated by the San Diego Unified School District. This program invites business and community leaders to experience a morning in the life of a school principal. Special thanks to Co-principals: Rocio Weiss and Todd Irving for welcoming Debt-Free America to Morse High School located in San Diego, CA.
Miramar Air Show –October 12 - 14, 2007
Held at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar (MCAS in San Diego, CA), home of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and host of the largest Air Show in the country. This three-day event is attended by over half a million spectators. This year’s air show is the anchor event for Fleet Week San Diego, a patriotic celebration hosted by America’s Finest City annually.
Fallbrook District Wellness & Open Enrollment Fair –October 2, 2007
250 employees and community members attend this Wellness Fair to receive a free flu shot and gather information on nutrition, fitness, health products and fiscal fitness.
Adams Avenue Street Fair –September 29 & 30, 2007
The Adams Avenue Street Fair, Southern California’s Largest FREE Two-Day Music Festival, covers eight blocks of Adams Avenue (located in the North Park section of San Diego) and is attended by over 100,000 people each year. The Adams Avenue Street Fair offers over 70 live music performances on six stages and over 300 vendor booths for visitors to explore.
San Diego County Fair
This year we spent three sunshine-filled days at the San Diego County Fair held on the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, CA. Each day between 40,000 and 60,000 attendees visited the annual County Fair. While at the Fair we met many folks who were already debt free, some who had been through our DMP, others who were excited to learn about our services and program, but one who asked us about recovering from identity theft.
Although we offer a many resources on how to “avoid identity theft” and “what to do when it happens,” we didn’t have any information available on credit recovery. It prompted us to research and gather the latest information on how to recover from and rebuild your credit after this dreadful experience. Look in our Library (under Education) for those additional resources, but check out DFA Visits the County Fair in our 2007 3rd Quarter newsletter Education Update.
Junior Achievement
DFA staff members proudly volunteer for Junior Achievement programs. JA programs complement and enhance a school’s curriculum by providing a realistic and relevant view of the world beyond school. As trained Junior Achievement Community Volunteers, we teach financial literacy lessons and engage students in activities specially designed for the grade levels K-12. Our goals, as a volunteer in the classroom, are to challenge students to excel in school and make the activities come alive by sharing our personal experiences.
Acting as a positive adult role model, exemplifies ways to build self-confidence, develop skills and find avenues of success in our free enterprise system which is a hallmark of Junior Achievement. Our last volunteer day was June 7, 2007 at Salt Creek Elementary School in Chula Vista. We congratulate Miss Carlton’s P.M. Kindergarten class on a success day of learning!
SONY Environmental and Healthy Lifestyles Expo
A corporate wellness day, serving over 3200 employees from Sony, BAE Systems, Unysis & HP, provided a variety of resources on Environmentally Friendly products & services, Alternative energy options, Health Screenings, Lifestyle Coaching, Nutrition, Spa Connections, Gardening, Financial Health and more. This one day event was held on the SONY campus in San Diego, CA.
The Diversity Group Career Fair
The Diversity Group is an organization committed to diversity in the workplace through equal opportunity employers. They assist in job placement by offering jobseekers the ability to search for top jobs in a variety companies. DFA participates at the Career Fair as an added benefit to jobseekers by providing informational pamphlets and booklets on the subjects of budgeting, how to use credit wisely and saving for the future.
DFA Helps Oceanside Save!
The mayor of Oceanside made a proclamation on that Oceanside would observe “America Saves” week February 25 – March 4, 2007. Debt-Free America coordinated the press releases and made two TV appearances speaking on behalf of the San Diego chapter of America Saves. DFA forwarded the campaign to all our clients and had over 75 people commit to pay debt faster or save funds for their future.
DFA Supports the Community
Debt-Free America cares for the community and supports charitable causes to make that community better. Here you will find just a few of the ways we are staying active in the community.
DFA Participates in Lifestyle's INFOCUS Geico Health and Wellness Fair
-April 9, 2008
“On behalf of Lifestyles INFOCUS and GEICO, I wanted to personally thank you for participating in their Health and Wellness Fair and making it a great event! GEICO was thoroughly impressed with you and the employees had a great time interacting with you!”-Mike Lynch, Sponsorship Sales and Marketing, Lifestyles INFOCUS
Debt-Free America participated in LifeStyles third event with Geico in their efforts to bring Health and Wellness to the workplace. GEICO is one of the most proactive companies when it comes to health and wellness for their employees. Debt-Free America was hand picked to attend the event because financial literacy education is important to Geico employees’ well being. The event was an outstanding success as Debt-Free America’s Linsy John, Director of Education, Tony Roman, Program Administrator, and Shirley Reeves, Counselor, provided Geico employees with detailed financial literacy education and advice, informative reading materials, interactive children’s money management books, raffles, and more.
Making Strides -October 21, 2007
Team DFA
Team DFA is committed to raising awareness about a deadly disease that affects all of our lives. On Sunday, October 21, 2007 walked among 20,000 other participants in San Diego’s Making Strides Breast Cancer Walk through Balboa Park in San Diego, CA. We continue to support this event and the American Caner Society in the fight to effectively treat and cure breast cancer.
San Diego Charger Backers Annual Celebrity GT
This annual golf tournament is proud to support to the Huntington's Disease Society of America (HDSA) with this year’s tournament proceeds. HD is a fatal genetic brain disorder that robs people of their ability to walk, talk, eat and think. An estimated 30,000 Americans have it, and at least 150,000 more are at risk. HD affects both sexes and all ethnic groups and strikes in the prime of life. Children of a parent with HD have a 50-50 chance of inheriting the condition, and the disease can start as early as childhood. For more information visit www.hdsasandiego.org
DFA Participates in Breast Cancer Walks
Debt-Free America employees and family have been greatly affected by this terrible disease. We walk to support the goals and determination of those people that are currently battling cancer and in memory of those that fought cancer to the end.
DFA in the 7th Annual Sharon's Ride Run. Walk.
"Thanks to your FANTASTIC support, the 7th Annual "Sharon's Ride, Run & Walk for Epilepsy" was the GREATEST ever!
We had an EXCELLENT time working with you. The FUN factor was high and, together, we made measurable impact on the lives of individuals and families affected by epilepsy. They sky opened up and shined so brightly on Sunday...it was ONE BEAUTIFUL DAY in the life of our Foundation! We are forever grateful to you for your support and want you to know it!"
With much love and gratitude,
The Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County
To view photos, log onto www.epilepsysandiego.org
DFA Drives for Del Mar School Children
"Please accept our heartfelt appreciation on behalf of the Del Mar Schools Education Foundation for participating in the DMSEF Golf Classic. Thank you for making the day so special!"
Very truly yours,
Chris Breault & Debra McGinty Poleet
DMSEF Board Co-Presidents
DFA Aids Louisiana Small Business Relief Fund
"The Baton Rouge Area Foundation and all of the people affected by Hurricane Katrina thank you for your donation to the Small Business Relief Fund. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
I have been amazed by the generosity of people who are eager to do anything they can do to help their neighbors"
Sincerely,
Sonia S. McKinight
Baton Rouge Area Foundation