Harrisburg, PA - Education and outreach staff from the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (DoBS) will be hosting and participating in numerous presentations for groups of senior citizens, service providers and the public throughout the month of April to promote financial literacy and provide investor education. April is Financial Literacy Month and Governor Josh Shapiro has issued a proclamation recognizing its importance in the Commonwealth.
The official proclamation can be found on the DoBS website.
“Financial Literacy Month is an opportune time for consumers to assess their financial well-being and seek out trusted, non-commercial resources to grow their financial knowledge,” said DoBS Acting Secretary Sarah Hammer. “During this month, the Department continues its work with other agencies and non-profit entities to inform and help Pennsylvanians navigate the financial services landscape.”
April outreach events will be held in person and virtually in partnership with the listed organizations. The events are open to the public unless otherwise noted.
Events For General Audiences
How Much Do I Need for Retirement - an overview of planning for retirement and investment scams to be wary of - will be presented at the Cleve J. Fredricksen Library at 100 N. 19th Street in Camp Hill (Cumberland County) on April 13 from 6:00PM to 7:00PM. Register for How Much Do I Need for Retirement on Eventbrite.
Start Today and Retire Tomorrow (STaRT) - a presentation discussing retirement planning - is designed to help Pennsylvanians determine what their retirement goals are and how to help them get there. No matter where they are in the timeline for retirement - early career, mid-career, or late career - it’s never too late to STaRT. These virtual presentations will be hosted by the following:
· Bosler Memorial Library at 158 West High Street in Carlisle (Cumberland County) on April 13 from 6:30PM to 8:00PM. To register, visit the Bosler Memorial Library website.
· PA Career Link Lancaster Country at 1046 Manheim Pike in Lancaster (Lancaster County) on April 24 from 1:00PM to 2:00PM. For additional information, contact Nicole Deeley at 717-509-5613, ext 600.
Fraud Bingo - a fun and interactive game that teaches consumers how to protect themselves from investment fraud by playing BINGO. This event will be offered in-person at the Berks Encore Mifflin Center at 30 Liberty Street in Shillington (Berks County) on April 25 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. For additional information, contact Dana J. Ziegler, Assistant Manager, at 610-777-557, ext. 802.
Events For Senior Citizens
Reverse Mortgages - What Can You Expect? - an overview of reverse mortgages, including requirements, considerations, and pros and cons. This event will be presented at Golden Connections Community Center at 20 Gotham Place in Red Lion (York County) on April 13 from 11:00AM to 12:00PM. For additional information, contact Kasie Ream at 717-244-7229.
Fraud Bingo – will be offered in-person at:
- Mohler Senior Center at 25 Hope Drive in Hershey (Dauphin County) on April 19 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. For additional information, contact Melissa Weigle, Executive Director, at 717-533-2002.
- Myerstown Senior Community Center at 59 N. Ramona Road in Myerstown (Lebanon County) on April 25 from 11:15AM to 12:15PM. For additional information, contact Ann Kim at 717-866-6786.
- Senior Resource Fair at LCBC Church at 450 Chambers Hill Road in Harrisburg (Dauphin County) on April 26 from 10:00AM to 11:00AM. For additional information, contact Detective Christopher Seiler at 717-564-2550.
Jefferson County Elder Justice Day 2023 - Staff from DoBS will be presenting and available to answer questions during the Elder Justice Day event at Heritage House at 4 Sylvania Street in Brookville (Jefferson County) on April 21 from 10:00AM to 2:00PM. Attendance is limited to the first 100 people. To RSVP, contact 814-849-3096.
Events For Students
Save and Invest PA - students will learn to pursue financial goals through this introduction to the basics of saving and investing, and how they can avoid financial scams. This event will be offered at Shippensburg University (Cumberland County) for its Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) members on April 17 beginning at 5:00PM. For more information, contact Sierra Miller at Sm1847@ship.edu.
Investing 101 - an introduction to saving and investing which covers types of investments, the “power” of compound interest, investigating before you invest, technology and investing, and diversification. This event will be offered at Penn State Abington (Montgomery County) on April 26 from 9:05AM to 9:55AM. For information, contact Thomas Bell at Jzb386@psu.edu.
Events for Organizations and Service Providers
Making Your Nest Egg Last - covering strategies to help Pennsylvanians live out their golden years. This event will be presented virtually at the Keystone Building at 400 North Street in Harrisburg (Dauphin County) on April 11 from 12:00PM to 1:00PM. For information, contact Stephen Colantuono at 717-787-8729. Open to PUC Employees.
Allegheny County Elder Justice Fair – attendees will learn about free legal and community resources available to Pennsylvania seniors, caregivers, and family members. It will be presented at Allegheny County Law Library at 414 Grant Street #921 in Pittsburgh (Allegheny County) on April 15 from 10:00AM to 2:00PM. For more information, visit the Allegheny County Law Library website.
Banking in the 21st Century - an overview on banking, investing, and personal finance. This event will be presented virtually during the PA Office of Administration Lunch and Learn at 402 A Finance Building, 613 North Street in Harrisburg (Dauphin County) on April 20 and April 26 from 12:00PM to 1:00PM. For information, contact Tim Pucino attpucino@pa.gov.
Popular Scams and How to Avoid Them and Fraud Bingo – two presentations that focus on ways to protect yourself against common scams. This event will be presented at Foster Grandparents York at 226 East College Ave in York (York County) on April 28 from 9:00AM to 11:00AM. Open to members of Foster Grandparents York.
Legislative Expos and Conferences
Outreach staff will be available at the following legislative expos and conferences:
- Representative Joe Ciresi’s 2023 Senior Expo at Copperfield Inn at Lakeside at 594 W Ridge Pike in Royersford (Montgomery County) on April 12 from 10:00AM to 12:00PM. For more information, please contact Ashley Kukucka at 610-495-6432, ext. 151.
- Representative Joe Hogan’s ScamJam at Neshaminy Activity Center at 1842 Brownsville Rd Feasterville-Trevose (Bucks County) on April 14 from 1:00PM to 3:00PM. Register for ScamJam with Representative Joe Hogan on Eventbrite.
- Senator Lindsey Williams’ Spring 2023 Senior Fair at the Mt. Ararat Community Activity Center at 745 North Negley Avenue in Pittsburgh (Allegheny County) on April 20 from 10:00AM to 12:00PM. For information, contact Grace Muller at 412-364-0469.
- Representative Thomas Mehaffie’s 4th Annual Health Expo at Leader Center for Active Life at 605 Cocoa Avenue in Hershey (Dauphin County) on April 27 from 10:00AM to 1:00PM. For more information, contact Angie Hoffer at 717-534-1323.
Reverse Mortgages - What Can You Expect? - an overview of reverse mortgages, including requirements, considerations, and pros and cons. This event will be presented in partnership with the Office of State Representative Tina Davis at the Bristol Township Senior Center at 2501 Bath Road in Bristol (Bucks County) on April 27 from 2:00PM to 4:00PM. For more information, contact Bryan Allen at 567-580-2660.
DoBS Investor Education and Consumer Outreach staff works with state and local government agencies, service providers, community and trade organizations, the General Assembly, the military community, schools, and other partners to help Pennsylvanians across the commonwealth become well-informed about the financial marketplace.
Learn more about the free, non-commercial programs and presentations available or contact us to request a program tailored to your specific needs.
Visit the Department's calendar of events to find an event near you. Consumers and community groups can call 1-800-PA-BANKS or email informed@pa.gov for more information.
MEDIA CONTACT: Madeline Williams - 717.214.6036, DoBSComm@PA.gov
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