Cultural Renaissance for Economic Revitalization
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CRER's Mission:
Our mission is to empower the re-entry and homeless population by providing practical teaching methods in Financial Literacy Education, On-on-One Credit Counseling, and Train the Trainer workshops. The population served face homelessness and incarceration.Founded in 2004, Cultural Renaissance for Economic Revitalization (CRER) is a grassroots 501c (3) not-for-profit organization whose vision is to level the economic disparities that exist in underserved communities. In doing so, an environment is created that is filled with consumers who are taking a proactive approach to develop asset-building skills that lead to self-sufficiency.Collectively as a community we can reduce the rate of recidivism for the homeless and for those who have been incarcerated by providing educational tools to help the population served become productive members of society.
Our mission is to empower the re-entry and homeless population by providing practical teaching methods in Financial Literacy Education, On-on-One Credit Counseling, and Train the Trainer workshops. The population served face homelessness and incarceration.
Founded in 2004, Cultural Renaissance for Economic Revitalization (CRER) is a grassroots 501c (3) not-for-profit organization whose vision is to level the economic disparities that exist in underserved communities. In doing so, an environment is created that is filled with consumers who are taking a proactive approach to develop asset-building skills that lead to self-sufficiency.
Collectively as a community we can reduce the rate of recidivism for the homeless and for those who have been incarcerated by providing educational tools to help the population served become productive members of society.
CRER News
Grab tickets to Broadway and off-Broadway shows while you Support CRER...
As part of the Capital One Card Lab Connect program. a CRER Capital One card is now available...
Economic Literacy for Re-Entry
and Homeless Populations
Use the links on the left to view some of CRER's resources.
How do we begin to address the employment, housing, entitlement and mental health needs of the re-entry and homeless population?
The average cost to keep a prisoner incarcerated in NY State is nearly $40,000 per year. CRER strives to reduce the rate of recidivism through economic education.
To all, but the state employees who work in them, the prisoners confined in them and the officials who are permitted access, are generally hidden from public view. However, what happens inside jails and prisons does not stay inside jails and prisons. It comes home with prisoners after they are released and with correction officers at the end of the day's shift. The prison environment is one that breeds racism, oppression, hostility, violence, indifference and inhumane conditions. When people live and work in facilities that are unsafe, unhealthy, unproductive or inhumane, they carry those effects home with them.
As a society, we lock up our most vulnerable, the least educated, the poor, mentally ill, addicted, homeless and sick, instead of providing them with treatment and services. The primary roles of prisons are to maintain security and control. In prison, the physical security of prisoners is the priority - not their health or well being. Because the exercise of power is a defining characteristic of prisons, there is constant potential for abuse. The majority of prisons and many jails are overcrowded creating a climate of chaos and tension.
Few conditions compromise safety more than idleness. But because lawmakers have reduced funding for programming, prisoners today are largely inactive and unproductive with limited opportunities to prepare for a successful re-entry into society. The majority of prisoners are African American and Latino, who come from and return to the poorest and most underserved communities in our city.
There are no quick or easy solutions. There are more people locked up now in this nation than in its entire history. The American prisoner population has grown so large that it is difficult to comprehend - try to imagine the combined populations of Atlanta, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, De Moines and Miami all behind bars.
There are no quick or easy solutions.
There are more people locked up now in this nation than in its entire history. The American prisoner population has grown so large that it is difficult to comprehend - try to imagine the combined populations of Atlanta, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, De Moines and Miami all behind bars.
Now, some of the people confined in our jails and prisons have committed serious and violent crimes. We can legitimately deprive them of liberty, but we cannot allow anyone who is incarcerated to be victimized by other prisoners, abused by officers, or neglected by doctors. Currently a high percentage of prisoners are locked up for non-violent crimes and drug related offenses. Many are ineligible for alternatives to incarceration due to mandatory sentencing laws that have been enacted in response to the so called "war on drugs".
Now, some of the people confined in our jails and prisons have committed serious and violent crimes. We can legitimately deprive them of liberty, but we cannot allow anyone who is incarcerated to be victimized by other prisoners, abused by officers, or neglected by doctors. Currently a high
percentage of prisoners are locked up for non-violent crimes and drug related offenses. Many are ineligible for alternatives to incarceration due to mandatory sentencing laws that have been enacted in response to the so called "war on drugs".
CRER believes that a holistic approach is best when developing discharge planning for prisoners. An approach that addresses the full range of needs faced by former prisoners; including the need for post release counseling, intensive case management, entitlements, crisis resolution, and relapse prevention.In addition, assistance should be provided to help make the difficult transition from incarceration and previous street life to a productive life and smooth re-entry into the larger community. Persons released from prison should be assigned a case manager; typically the most urgent needs are medical evaluation and medical care, medications, safe and suitable short -term housing, documentation, clothing and assured access to nutritious meals.
CRER believes that a holistic approach is best when developing discharge planning for prisoners. An approach that addresses the full range of needs faced by former prisoners; including the need for post release counseling, intensive case management, entitlements, crisis resolution, and relapse prevention.
In addition, assistance should be provided to help make the difficult transition from incarceration and previous street life to a productive life and smooth re-entry into the larger community. Persons released from prison should be assigned a case manager; typically the most urgent needs are medical evaluation and medical care, medications, safe and suitable short -term housing, documentation, clothing and assured access to nutritious meals.
CRER advocates that Financial Literacy Education be part of the standard list of service needs for persons released from prison. It is a need that goes unrecognized by discharge planners while in prison and unaddressed by service providers on the outside. CRER firmly supports and encourages collaborations and partnering with networks of churches, social service, community-based, criminal justice advocacy organizations, and organizations initiated and led by people who have spent time in prison. We must all work together towards a common goal, for there can be no criminal justice without social justice.
CRER believes closer attention must be paid to the conditions inside our prisons and to the treatment of prisoners. The process for change must begin inside our prisons and the healing on the outside. We must continue to strive in our efforts to make our communities safer and healthier places in which to live.
If we all work together and advocate for adequate resources that address the diverse social and cultural needs of members of our community, we begin to form a consensus for a common goal. Education is key and building networks that are willing to work together will ultimately result in successful transitions for those men and woman who were formerly incarcerated.
Lets accept the fact that anyone can make a mistake and end up in prison. We must work to reduce and eliminate the fears, misinformation and prejudices that lead to stigma and discrimination of persons formerly incarcerated. Remember, prisoners are members of our communities who happen to be behind prison walls.CRER believes in the power of rebuilding lives through economic literacy in an effort to level the economic disparities that exist in the communities we serve. Lets all pitch in and do our part.
Lets accept the fact that anyone can make a mistake and end up in prison. We must work to reduce and eliminate the fears, misinformation and prejudices that lead to stigma and discrimination of persons formerly incarcerated. Remember, prisoners are members of our communities who happen to be behind prison walls.
CRER believes in the power of rebuilding lives through economic literacy in an effort to level the economic disparities that exist in the communities we serve. Lets all pitch in and do our part.
Challenges & Goals
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Glossary
recidivism
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Resources
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The CRER Board
Awilda Velez
Awilda Velez, born and raised in Spanish Harlem, is the youngest daughter of seven children of Eulalia and Juan Velez. She graduated with Honors from Lehman College with a BA in Liberal Arts and a Masters Degree in Education. As a single parent, Ms. Velez has raised four children while constantly working and striving for higher goals. For the past fifteen years, Awilda has devoted her time helping those less fortunate. She has remained in communities where her services as an educator and practitioner of economic literacy, credit counseling and small business development has helped those outside the financial mainstream.
In September 2003, Awilda Velez founded CRER, a 501(c)(3) grassroots not-for-profit organization. Bethex Federal Credit Union assisted Awilda with the legal representation to form this worthy organization. Awilda is a former Board Member of Bethex FCU, a low-income designated community development credit union, and current Board Member of the South Bronx Board of Trade. She was also awarded the 2005 SBA Financial Champion of the Year Award for helping small business qualify for mainstream financial services.
Awilda Velez is also the owner of AV Financial Consulting Services. The firm is certified under the SBA (8)A Program and registered with the US Department of Commerce Business Division.
George Llanos
George Llanos currently works for the Washington Heights and Inwood Development Corporation.
Prior to joining WHIDC, Mr. Llanos was the Assistant Manager of Asset Building Programs at Mount Hope Housing Company. As the Assistant Manager, his primary responsibilities included managing with the day-to-day operations of the Mount Hope Housing Companys IDA Program. Previously, Mr. Llanos served as a business counselor with the SBA Hunts Point Womens Business Resource Center. He provided technical assistance and training to female entrepreneurs seeking guidance toward business start-ups.
Mr. Llanos is bilingual (English and Spanish) and a Certified Entrepreneurship Trainer. Additionally, he worked closely with the TrickleUp Program as the TrickleUp Coordinator for Hunts Point. Founded in 1979, the Trickle-Up Program's mission is to help the lowest income people worldwide take the first step up out of poverty, by providing seed capital and business training to start or expand a business. In 2004, Mr. Llanos was instrumental in forging a partnership between the Trickle-Up Program and the Mount Hopes IDA Program, which represents a first such partnership for Trickle-Up and an IDA program. George believes that helping low income people develop sustainable businesses will lead to self-sufficiency and improve the lives of individuals, families and communities.
Theresa Ortiz
Theresa Ortiz, now a Sr. Loan Officer, joined Neighborhood Housing Services of New York City in 1993. In addition to writing home improvement loans, Ms. Ortiz provides clients with credit counseling, financial counseling, reverse mortgage counseling, predatory lending counseling, and foreclosure prevention counseling. She also presents NHS loan products to other housing-based organizations, refers clients in need of services, and conducts predatory lending prevention workshops.
Ms. Ortiz received a bachelor's degree in business management in 1994. She also has received training in financial and housing counseling from Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation, Mount Hope Housing Company, Inc. and Chase Bank.
Mark Corpas
An entrepreneur in the very real sense of the word, Mark Corpas expanded on his familiarity within the construction industry in 2002 by starting 4 Star Insulation. This young organization has already shown significant profit and has developed agreements with numerous contractors in New York and New Jersey.
In 1983, Mr. Corpas worked in a community based organization, where he ensured that both NYC and state funded companies with minority hiring requirements. A tireless and creative worker, he rose to the position of Executive Director, expanding his organization's outreach to include food distribution programs.
Mr. Corpas majored in business at Utica college.
Nelson R. Gonzalez
Mr. Gonzalez was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, where his father ran his own business and served as a role model. He graduated from Colegio San Jose and continued studies at the University of Puerto Rico.
Shortly after moving to NYC in January 1992, Mr. Gonzalez began working for New York Telephone (now Verizon), as a Bilingual Customer Service Representative. By his third year, he had completed several Acting Management assignments in the business office. His positive results lead to his promotion as a Community Affairs Manager for The Bronx and Rockland County, responsibility he carried for 7 years. During those years, Mr. Gonzalez positively impacted the corporate reputation of Verizon by building relationships with key organizations and helping to develop programs that improved the quality of life in the Bronx. He partnered with Mount Hope Housing Company, Inc. and helped their job readiness division adjust their training. This resulted in more than 70% of their applicants to pass the Verizon pre-employment written test. Also partnered with Lehman College and Fordham University to showcase the first and second Bronx Technology Conferences & Expos, educating Bronx organizations on all types of available technologies, in many diverse segments of their life, including banking. In October 2001, Mr. Gonzalez accepted another promotion, moving to Verizon International, as a Senior Staff Consultant for Philanthropy and Public Affairs.
Mr. Gonzalez began his service for Citigroup in January 2004. He uses his experience and community expertise to positively affect Citigroups partnerships and the overall well-being of the Bronx. Hes a current member of the Executive Boards of R.A.I.N., Inc., R.A.I.N. Home Attendant Services and the Bronx Council on the Arts.
He and his wife, Alizaida, have been married for 28 years and enjoy four children and three grandchildren.
Patricia Terry
Patricia Terry is a financial consultant specializing in financial planning, tax accounting, accounting systems and investment portfolio management for corporations and individuals. She assists in resolving all IRS matters including tax preparation and supervision of annual audits.
In addition, Ms. Terry has lectured at Baruch College and the New School for Social Research. She has taught courses on the subjects of Analysis of Financial Data, Financial Analysis for Not for Profit Managers, Economics, Statistics, Financial Accounting, and Corporation Finance. Ms. Terry has also conducted one and two day seminars presented on Personal Income Taxation, Personal Finance: Investing, Borrowing, Credit and Retirement Planning.
Ms. Terry is treasurer of the West Harlem Environmental Action Board of Directors, financial officer for The Twenty-First Century Foundation and CRER, and a financial consultant for the The Society for the Preservation of History of Weeksville and Bedford-Stuyvesant, Sustainable South Bronx, and Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association.
She earned her bachelors of arts in economics and quantitative analysis from Rutgers University and an MBA in Finance from Long Island University.
Romeo Sanchez
For more than 25 years Romeo Sanchez has been an advocate for prisoners rights, prison reforms, social justice and quality of life issues, especially those affecting the HIV/AIDS/HCV and underserved communities. He is a formerly incarcerated person, who served over seven years in New York State prisons.
Romeo is a recipient of the Union Square Award by the Fund for the City of New York, awarded in 1999 in recognition of his grassroots activism.
He is former Director of the Latino Prison Project at the Latino Commission on AIDS(LCOA). A co-founder of the Alliance for Inmates with AIDS (AlliA). The founder of the Coalition for Persons Living with Hepatitis C. A former Deputy Director of the New York City AIDS Housing Network (NYCAHN). He served as President of the Fortune Society and former Director of the New York City Commission on Human Rights.
His past memberships and affiliations include; the New York City HIV Prevention Planning Group(PPG), New York AIDS Coalition (NYAC), Subcommittee on Criminal Justice of the New York State AIDS Institute, Prison Visiting Committee of the Correctional Association, AIDS Treatment Advocacy Coalition, National Hepatitis C Coalition, Independent Review Board of New York University Graduate Center, Restore the Vote/Unlock the Block Coalition, and New York City Communities of Color HIV AIDS (NYCCOCHA).
Robert Wilson Seymone
As CEO and founder of Truth Unlimited Inc., Robert focuses on the importance of healthy choices and sound decisions targeting at-risk and challenged individuals. Mr. Seymone has a professional acting career spanning over 30 years. From theatre and TV commercials, to characters in episodes of the hit HBO Series “The Wire” and “FBI Files” on the Discovery Channel. His extensive voice-over work has included specials for National Geographic and the National Education Association, as well as providing the voice for the Hurricane Katrina “Help Hotline”.
Mission
Vision
The mission of Cultural Renaissance for Economic Revitalization (CRER) is to empower underserved families through practical teaching methods. Our focus is on the areas of economic literacy, credit counseling, budgeting, entrepreneurial training, one-on-one counseling services, 'train the trainer workshops', and mentoring programs without regard to race, gender, nationality or income
CRER's vision is to strengthen our collaborations, while building new relationships with faith-based, grass-roots, and community development organization, financial and educational institutions, private corporations, city, state and federal government agencies as well as community leaders in an effort to bring about social and economic change.
Working together communities are strengthened and disenfranchised populations become empowered on how to qualify and take advantage of the mainstream financial services available. while building assets and working towards becoming self-sufficient. Those persons also learn how to advocate for themselves and protect their own assets. Communities become viable and residents and businesses become the stakeholders in their own economic growth and social empowerment.
The vision of CRER is based on the premise that each voice has a right to be heard and to grow; to learn, save, build assets and become self-sufficient. Economic growth for the socially disadvantaged can only be achieved when communities work collectively to level the economic disparities that exist in the underserved communities. In doing so, the opportunitiy to qualifying for mainstream financial services becomes overwhelmingly positive, and a benefit for the community at large.
As a ninth grade student at The Bronx Guild High School. I worked as an intern at AV Financial Consulting Services and CRER. I experienced a lot during my time at CRER.
I observed how clients are helping with one-on-one consulting. The clients come out of prisons, some write for help from out-of-state, some are homeless; many are victims of identity theft and more. It is a pleasure meeting the clients and hearing their stories. During my time here, I also learned how to use and operate the ACT Database System. The information recorded into the system regarded clients who suffered a great extent from bankruptcy, homelessness, lack of employment and incarceration.
The clients are helped with money-management, on-on-one credit counseling, budgeting, and referral services. It has been a pleasure doing an internship here and I learned a lot.
Thank you Ms. Awilda Velez.
Rhodesia Butler
I am currently incarcerated in the State of Florida. Ms. Awilda Velez helped me through CRER without even knowing me. My family is in New York and they contacted CRER.
Because of CRER, I now have an attorney in the State of Florida and I believe if there is any chance of me getting a new trial, it is only because of the unwaivering and unselfish work that has been done on my behalf. I can not thank you enough and Thank you forever.
R.Lamas
Stories
Share Your Story
"CRER taught me that there is light at the end of the tunnel - you just have to know which way to face."
John Weitz
Bronx, NY
"In a world where it seems everyone has an offer that is 'too good to pass up' thank goodness for CRER! The programs and workshops you provide taught me how to separate fact from fiction. Thank you for all you do."
Samuel Johnson
J & J Carpet Sales
"Growing a successful business was only half the battle. Learning to leverage your success can be the real challenge. The workshops and training I received from CRER were invaluable for my personal growth. Now my employees are benefiting from CRER's programs. Developing good money management habits is like giving yourself a raise."
Tomika Smith
Queens, NY
Share Your Story...
Helpful Links
http://www.annualcreditreport.com
This site allows you to request a free credit file disclosure, commonly called a credit report, once every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
http://www.consumer-action.org
Consumer Action is a national non-profit education and advocacy organization engaged in financial literacy and consumer protection
http://www.nedap.org
NEDAP is a resource and advocacy center for community groups in New York City. Their mission is to promote community economic justice and to eliminate discriminatory economic practices that harm communities and perpetuate inequality and poverty.
CRER Partners
Petro Bronx
Crisytan Nevers
CRER News...
Entrepreneurial Training
Why do so many citizens and non-citizens aspire to own their business? Why, because this is what this country was founded on; the ability to take risk and follow-your dreams. Cultural Renaissance for Economic Revitalization has truly impacted the lives of those who have benefited from the Entrepreneurial Training Program. The ETP is a 6 week intensive program that teaches how to plan and prepare for the process of starting your own business. The course syllabus covers subject matter on how to structure a business, what are the different types of business entities, developing a business plan, understanding the importance of maintaining good credit, basic banking, insurance, marketing and the internet, how to become a certified minority-owned business owner, how to file taxes, record-keeping and the importance of developing a strong management team.
Trickle-Up Program
In 2005, Cultural Renaissance for Economic Revitalization became a coordinating partner of the Trickle-Up Program; and international not-for-profit organization that provides seed capital to low-income entrepreneurs who are within the poverty guidelines and who do not qualify for any other source of financing. The recipients who qualify for the Trickle-Up Grant of $700 have home-based businesses and are independent contractors who are just starting out. The grant in the amount of $700 can be used to buy materials, get business cards, flyers, a fax machine, sewing machine, wholesale items and much more. The Trickle-Up Program has successfully helped entrepreneurs realize their dream of starting their own business. Cultural Renaissance for Economic Revitalization is proud to be a coordinating partner of the U.S. Trickle-Up Program.
For more information about the Trickle Up Program, please visit their website at http://www.trickleup.org
Economic Literacy Training
Cultural Renaissance for Economic Revitalization has a launched a challenging Economic Literacy Training initiative at Fulton, Edgecombe, and Bayview Correctional Facilities. This new initiative is the first of its kind geared towards educating the work-release and transitional prison population. The goal is to educate and facilitate resources to the men and women who are reaching the re-entry process. In doing so, we are helping this population intergrate back to society by providing the neccessary resources that will help them in their decision making process. Sponsored by J.P. Morgan Chase, AV Financial Consulting Services, St. James Church and Independence Community Foundation.
Unlock the Block Campaign
Since 2004, CRER has worked with the Unlock The Block Campaign as The Bronx Field Coordinators registering citizens to vote and educating the disenfranchised population on their right to vote. In 2005, CRER reached out to Bronx-Based Community Organizations in an effort to integrate voter registration. CRER has successfully registered over 1000 citizens to vote who never exercised their right to vote.
Support CRER
Donations
One of the primary ways to help CRER is by making a tax deductable donation. Your financial support helps us continue our efforts in the communities we serve. Please send your tax deductable donations to:
Cultural Renaissance for Economic Revitalization (CRER)
522 Morris Park Ave
Bronx, NY 10460
Volunteer
You can also help CRER's efforts by volunteering your time. We are especially in need of those who are bilingual with some experience in any of these areas:
* Translation of materials
* Experienced Graphic and Web Designers to help with our web page
* Marketing people to help us get the word out about CRER
* Good fundraisers are always needed
* Legal and Accounting Services
* Research and Development volunteers
* Trainers amd counselors needed to learn about services we provide
Sponsorship
CRER is also seeking Sponsors to help our Entrepreneurs that are disabled or disenfranchised. We are seeking individuals or companies that are willing to help in this initiative.
CRER's Programs
Making the American Dream a Reality
Owning a place of your own can seem a lofty goal. By educating ourselves as homebuyers home and real estate ownership can be a reality. CRER offers informational workshops designed to take the mystery out of the process. From searching for a home, to financing the endeavor, to closing on a deal, the goal of CRER's home ownership eduction program is to provide a greater understanding of the home buying process. CRER's informational workshops have helped a wide range of potential buyers including first time buyers, those with financial difficulities, prisoners, ex-offenders, and parolees.
Home Ownership
Outreach &
Assessment
* Money Management
* Credit Counseling
* Budgeting
* One-on-One Credit Counseling
* Establishing Credit
* Banking Basics
* Community-Specific Referral Services
Economic Literacy
Internship Program
Informational Workshops for prisoners, ex-offenders and paroleesMentoring & training programs in workforce development & entrepreneurialship
Entrepreneurial
Services
Train-The-Trainer
* Economic Literacy for Educators
* Modules for Curriculum
* Network/Partner Organizations
* Methodology
* Community Partnerships
Help CRER reach out to more people
As part of the Capital One Card Lab Connect program a Capital One CRER Card is now available. Each time a card holder uses this card ,1% of each purchase amount goes directly to CRER to support our efforts in promoting smart debt management and responsible use of credit. Additionally, $25 dollars goes to CRER after the first purchase. Think of the things you may purchase with a credit card, such as airfare, hotel, car rental, gas, etc. By paying the full balance each month interest can be avoided, yet a percentage of the charge amount goes to CRER. By using this card responsibly you can build stronger credit while providing us with invaluable support.Keep in mind however, that like any credit card it is essential that you read and understand all the terms and conditions before signing up. While we are grateful for any extra funding provided to support our efforts, CRER's association with this program is neither an endorsement of Capital One nor its associated products.
As part of the Capital One Card Lab Connect program a Capital One CRER Card is now available. Each time a card holder uses this card ,1% of each purchase amount goes directly to CRER to support our efforts in promoting smart debt management and responsible use of credit. Additionally, $25 dollars goes to CRER after the first purchase.
Think of the things you may purchase with a credit card, such as airfare, hotel, car rental, gas, etc. By paying the full balance each month interest can be avoided, yet a percentage of the charge amount goes to CRER. By using this card responsibly you can build stronger credit while providing us with invaluable support.
Keep in mind however, that like any credit card it is essential that you read and understand all the terms and conditions before signing up. While we are grateful for any extra funding provided to support our efforts, CRER's association with this program is neither an endorsement of Capital One nor its associated products.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM
CRER Current Programs
Click to View PRIOR Programs
One-On-One Credit CounselingConfidential credit counseling to educate consumers and help protect your credit against identity theft and fraud. Also includes education on debt collections and how to "navagate the system."
One-On-One Credit Counseling
Confidential credit counseling to educate consumers and help protect your credit against identity theft and fraud. Also includes education on debt collections and how to "navagate the system."
Financial LiteracyCRER's Financial Literacy program is a comprehensive course with sections on Self-Assessment, Budget & Tracking of expenses, developing savings plans, understanding and using credit reports, basic banking, as well as consumers advocacy and plans of action. Our reach extends to the more than 26,000 men and women released from New York Prisons each year.
Financial Literacy
CRER's Financial Literacy program is a comprehensive course with sections on Self-Assessment, Budget & Tracking of expenses, developing savings plans, understanding and using credit reports, basic banking, as well as consumers advocacy and plans of action. Our reach extends to the more than 26,000 men and women released from New York Prisons each year.
Economic Education
The YES Project (Youth Engaged in Success)Nearly one-in-six (nearly170,000) of New York City's youth ages 16-24 are disconnected (neither in school or employed). About half are without a high school diploma or GED. While NYC does not have a high rate of juvenile crime, a disproportionate number of youths are placed in juvenile detention at an annual cost of more than $200,000 per person compared with an average $12,000 spent per NYC public school student, The goals of the CRER'S YES project is to help reverse these trends. The youth selected to participate in the YES Project learn first hand about the fundamentals of social change while receiving remedial classes for GED prep, creative writing, art & poetry, computer literacy, dress for success, public speaking, financial literacy workshops and business plan development. Sponsored in part by Citgo/Northstar and Petro Bronx in partnership with Bronx Guild H.S.
The YES Project (Youth Engaged in Success)
Nearly one-in-six (nearly170,000) of New York City's youth ages 16-24 are disconnected (neither in school or employed). About half are without a high school diploma or GED. While NYC does not have a high rate of juvenile crime, a disproportionate number of youths are placed in juvenile detention at an annual cost of more than $200,000 per person compared with an average $12,000 spent per NYC public school student,
The goals of the CRER'S YES project is to help reverse these trends. The youth selected to participate in the YES Project learn first hand about the fundamentals of social change while receiving remedial classes for GED prep, creative writing, art & poetry, computer literacy, dress for success, public speaking, financial literacy workshops and business plan development. Sponsored in part by Citgo/Northstar and Petro Bronx in partnership with Bronx Guild H.S.
Outreach
Train the TrainerTrain the Trainer is community based training on financial literacy. The program focuses on how adult populations of low and moderate income levels can benefit from learning the emportance of applying responsible and consistent practices as they relate to personal savings, debt, and overall money management skills
Train the Trainer
Train the Trainer is community based training on financial literacy. The program focuses on how adult populations of low and moderate income levels can benefit from learning the emportance of applying responsible and consistent practices as they relate to personal savings, debt, and overall money management skills
Self Sufficiency
Fostering Future LeadersBy opening your doors and lending your expertise to aspiring young business people, not only do you give hard working students invaluable real-world experience, chances are you will find their insight and hard work a refreshing addition to your work environment. CRER has taken on numerous interns over the years, allowing each to lend their skills and expertise to our efforts.
Fostering Future Leaders
By opening your doors and lending your expertise to aspiring young business people, not only do you give hard working students invaluable real-world experience, chances are you will find their insight and hard work a refreshing addition to your work environment. CRER has taken on numerous interns over the years, allowing each to lend their skills and expertise to our efforts.
Internship Opportunities
CRER Prior Programs
Click to View CURRENT Programs
Unlock The BlockRegardless of our situation, achieving financial goals in a global economy requires we make use of every resource available including online. We measure success by how many times we move forward by making a financial plan and then sticking with it, even if it means sacrifice or going slower than you may want. While luck definately helps,more often it is disipline that makes the difference between winning and losingThose who promise quick=fixes to financial situations or the secret to buying real estate with no money down are usually looking for quick money from you. There are numerous programs and incentives available for first time buyers and those who qualify, CRER tries to connect participants with every resource available.
Unlock The Block
Regardless of our situation, achieving financial goals in a global economy requires we make use of every resource available including online. We measure success by how many times we move forward by making a financial plan and then sticking with it, even if it means sacrifice or going slower than you may want. While luck definately helps,more often it is disipline that makes the difference between winning and losing
Those who promise quick=fixes to financial situations or the secret to buying real estate with no money down are usually looking for quick money from you. There are numerous programs and incentives available for first time buyers and those who qualify, CRER tries to connect participants with every resource available.
Unlock the Block
Trickle UP ProgramCRER's Financial Literacy programs are available to anyone in our community. Our programs are administered in the classroom, online, and on-the-job. Our reach extends to the more than 26,000 men and women released from New York Prisons each year. CRER's multilingual financial education curriculum and consumer outreach initiative is designed to help build and maintain better credit, make sound financial decisions, and understand the steps to sustainable homeownership. Our goal is to increase financial understanding by teaching life-long money management skills and show how to avoid costly mistakes..
Trickle UP Program
CRER's Financial Literacy programs are available to anyone in our community. Our programs are administered in the classroom, online, and on-the-job. Our reach extends to the more than 26,000 men and women released from New York Prisons each year.
CRER's multilingual financial education curriculum and consumer outreach initiative is designed to help build and maintain better credit, make sound financial decisions, and understand the steps to sustainable homeownership. Our goal is to increase financial understanding by teaching life-long money management skills and show how to avoid costly mistakes..
Contact
Contribute
Our efforts to address the employment, housing, entitlement and mental health needs of the re-entry and homeless population are possible because of the hard work and generous contributions from our partners.Founded in 2004, Cultural Renaissance for Economic Revitalization is an all-volunteer Bronx-based 501 c(3)grassroots organization.
Our efforts to address the employment, housing, entitlement and mental health needs of the re-entry and homeless population are possible because of the hard work and generous contributions from our partners.
Founded in 2004, Cultural Renaissance for Economic Revitalization is an all-volunteer Bronx-based 501 c(3)grassroots organization.
Whether by mail, phone, email or in-person, CRER is always glad to hear from you!
Mailing address:
Cultural Renaissance for Economic Revitalization522 Morris Park Ave,Bronx, NY 10460
522 Morris Park Ave,
Phone:
Metro NYC area
(718) 823-2573
Won't you help our efforts by giving what you can? Whatever tax-deductable gift you can offer is much appreciated and will have a positive and prolonged impact on CRER and our efforts. Thank you for your support!
Nationwide Toll-Free
(888) 262-1553
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