Pros to offer a hand to those experiencing financial woes

In a time of economic uncertainty, taking time to hear what experts say may prove beneficial.

"The more persons listen to professional thinking and points of view, you not only get the information, it stimulates your own thinking," said the Rev. James Miller, senior pastor of DuPage AME Church in Lisle. "You start thinking about your own circumstance."

The loss of a job, illness or foreclosure can mean financial trouble. Looking for warning signs and avoiding financial pitfalls could help you navigate your financial plan through troubled waters.

Do you stick with your budget or are you using one credit card to pay off another? Are you ready to take control?

The Regularly Extending Assistance to Community and Humanity organization will host a daylong conference to offer practical strategies.

"People want to know how to protect themselves, their families, homes and other assets," said Miller, chairman of REACH Inc.

Among concerns people may have are questions such as: Will I be able to send my child to school? What do I do if I lose my job? How do I adjust my budget for a downsized income? What should I know about credit cards and insurance coverage?

From 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 31, the second annual Economic Empowerment Conference will offer participants knowledge, actions and confidence to stay the course through a difficult economy.

The conference repeats the morning sessions in the afternoon, but encourages a full day to participate in four of seven sessions plus a keynote at 9 a.m. and a lunch speaker, said Maggie Cooper, acting conference chairwoman.

The 45-minute sessions are: Credit card, credit score, credit report; Global strategies for income growth; Best and safest investments today; Insurance coverage as investment; Our new government administration's economic impact; Adjusting retirement investment planning; and Investments and savings for college education.

Youth and young adult sessions include: A game to learn stock investing; Your first credit card dos and don'ts; and Start your business and blow up.

"Blow up is slang used by teens and youth that means to do extremely well - usually for a short period of time," organizer Deborah Hammond-Watts said.

Glinda Bridgforth, one of the coaches on Oprah's American Debt Diet, is the keynote speaker at the opening session. She wrote "Girl, Get Your Money Straight" and co-authored "Girl, Make Your Money Grow."

In a practical and realistic manner, Bridgforth explores the emotional and cultural factors that block financial success.

Award winning economist Paul Kasriel, senior vice-president at the Northern Trust Corp, will speak at the lunch hour and give his 2009 forecast. Kasriel co-authored the book "Seven Indicators That Move Markets."

Last year, the daylong conference drew more than 700 participants and organizers expect to top that number by several hundred this year. Given the current economic climate, Hammond-Watts said sessions addressing investing, retirement accounts, managing debt and dealing with the mortgage crisis will attract participants. Cooper said the session on avoiding foreclosure likely will be popular, too.

"We want to help strengthen families, many of whom are feeling stretched right now," Cooper said. "We will be able to have experts help them look at new and different strategies to face their challenges and at the same time identify potential opportunities as we wait for things to turn around."

Experts include speakers from HSBC Bank and other leading financial institutions, Hammond-Watts said. At the end of the day a general meet-and-greet session will take place.

"We have been told that a conference of this caliber could cost attendees hundreds of dollars," Hammond-Watts said.

The conference will run 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 31 at The Westin Lombard Yorktown Center, 70 Yorktown Center, Lombard. The $20 ticket includes a plate lunch and complimentary parking. To register, go to dupageamec.org or call (630) 969-8274.

"The conference goal is to offer a valuable financial and investment information to an underserved community," Cooper said. "Partnering with our sponsors allows us to do it for an affordable fee."

Any proceeds will benefit the DuPage AME Church's REACH program. REACH serves people in need throughout the county. Approximately 200 families benefit monthly from a food giveaway sponsored by the not-for-profit organization and distributed from the Lisle church.

REACH supports individuals and families to independence through active education, diversity training, counseling, personal development, mentoring and a food pantry. It also strives to educate community members. Donations to REACH, which is in need of gift cards to gas stations and food stores, may be sent to: REACH Inc., 200 Warrenville Road, Lisle, 60532, to the attention of Charles Sweet, REACH coordinator.

Why does a church host an economic conference?

"The financial life of people is as important as their health or their housing because it impacts directly all areas of a person's life," Miller said. "The AME church has always been not only one for spiritual enrichment, but also for community and personal ministry. Persons are experiencing a lot of anxiety, stress and even depression and they need all the help they can get. They should make the time to come."

• Joan Broz writes about Lisle. E-mail her at jgbroz@yahoo.com.