GREATER ROCHESTER AREA FINANCIAL LITERACY INITIATIVE ("GRAFLI")

In this Initiative, we are focusing on having an ongoing"community conversation"where everyone in our area is talking about the principles of personal finance - learning them, reinforcing them and making them a life-long habit.

A number of community leaders, financial education providers, many media organizations and others are working together to make sure that we havethat conversation. We hope that everyone will participate, get behind it, and share any knowledge or experiences that will move the conversation forward.

The Initiative has two goals. First, to educate the public about budgeting, saving, understanding and analyzing the true cost of any credit, finding ways to save money on purchases, discussing finances with our children, and much more, so that we can be the most financially literate community in the United States. Second, to reach out to those in our community who find themselves in severe financial distress to let them know where they can get help with their finances. If you or someone you know needs free, unbiased advice regarding finances, you can contact the Credit Education Bureau of Rochester via their Financial Hotline at (585) 256-6080.

Through editorials, articles, television and radio interviews and features and materials offered by the Initiative, that can be used by schools, employers, community and faith community groups, we hope to reach out to as many people in our community as possible.

As yet another way to hold our "community conversation," the Initiative will have panels of personal finance experts available to local organizations to hold town meetings with brief presentations, followed by question and answer sessions. Please look for announcements about these town meetings, including one on March 31, 2009, sponsored by the Downtown Community Forum.

Rochester has been a national leader in so many areas, and it is a leader once again in this area.