City To Celebrate Relocation Of Financial Empowerment Center

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — On Saturday, Sept. 7, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman will join with community leaders to celebrate the relocation of the United Way Financial Empowerment Center with a block party from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The center has been relocated to Campbell Park Resource Center at the John Hopkins Middle School, 701 16th St. S., Building 7.

Joining Kriseman will be Pinellas County School Superintendent Dr. Michael Grego, Duke Energy Florida President Catherine Stempien, United Way Interim CEO Carrie Zeisse and Campbell Park Resource manager Jeffrey Johnson.

There will be a tour of center's new location following remarks by Kriseman and community partners.

United Way Suncoast operates the FEC through funds received from the Duke Energy Foundation. Pinellas County Schools has donated space for the center.

The empowerment center focuses on how children can build financially healthy habits. In addition, the FEC is a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Earned Income Tax Credit location, providing financial literacy workshops and counseling, as well as workforce training and development opportunities.

“Improving the financial literacy and financial health of our residents is a smart investment," said Kriseman. "I want to thank the United Way Suncoast for operating this outstanding program, and Duke Energy for their support."

In 2017, St. Petersburg was among eight cities across the nation competitively selected to participate in the National League of Cities’ Financial Inclusion Systems and City Leadership initiative to increase the financial stability of low-income families. Financial empowerment centers link vulnerable households to financial services, public benefits and community programming - and provide them with tools to build assets and manage money more effectively.