In 2015, the Federal Reserve Bank and Prosperity Now collaborated to publish a book called What It’s Worth, to share ways to “strengthen the financial future of families, communities and the nation.” The Indiana Assets & Opportunity Network (Indiana A&O Network), a statewide asset-building coalition, is planning four lunch-n-learns across the state to discuss concepts from the book.
The Indiana A&O Network has commissioned a videographer and animator to produce a 20 minute video to show at the beginning of the events to encourage open and honest discussions about financial instability and local solutions to economic mobility barriers for families in Indiana. As it relates to the book, the events will include information and discussions on wealth disparity, strong cognitive functioning for youth, and financial decision making for the aging through the lens of health and wealth.
Discussions will take place between August and October 2017 and are planned in the following four locations: Tippecanoe, Porter, Shelby, and Vanderburgh Counties. The Indiana A&O Network is partnering with the Indiana Library Federation to help coordinate and host each event at a local library in the area. Libraries bring connectedness, provide access to expanded creativity, and establish an unfettered environment for learning for the community. The Indiana A&O Network believes this is the perfect setting to dialogue about issues that affect community members. Each event will be 1.5 hours with a graphic facilitator with Stone Soup Creative documenting the conversation on a large-scale image at the front of the room in real-time.
The events will bring together practitioners across sectors – community organizations, anchor institutions, financial institutions, funders, and library staff – to have a meaningful discussion about strengthening financial futures for individuals, families, and communities. Each audience member will receive a free copy of What It’s Worth to take home. We expect audience members to use the book and video to host their own events to facilitate a deeper, local discussion about financial instability and potential solutions to these issues in their communities.
An advisory committee has been collaborating to ensure this project is a success. Committee members include Naomi Bechtold with Purdue Extension-Marion County, Kelsey Clayton with the Indiana A&O Network manager and Allegra Maldonado serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA. Additional funding support provided by Prosperity Now and Regions Bank.
To register for this free event please visit: http://www.indianaopportunity.net/upcoming-events/ and scroll down to find a county closest to you.
