Neighborhood Allies attends NLC Mayors’ Institute with Mayor Peduto

This week, Neighborhood Allies’ Sarah Dieleman Perry traveled to Chicago with Mayor Bill Peduto and Henry Pyatt to attend a National League of Cities (NLC) Mayors’ Institute on Financial Inclusion.

The Pittsburgh contingent joined the mayors and representatives from seven other cities across the nation for the opportunity to engage with national experts and peers to develop practical solutions to local challenges to help residents grow and achieve financial health.

The Mayors’ Institute was the first event in a two-year engagement designed for each city to participate in ongoing learning opportunities with peers in other cities as well as national experts in the financial inclusion field. According to NLC, “Financial inclusion strategies, such as Bank On programs, financial empowerment centers and children’s savings accounts, can bolster a city’s fight against poverty and help low-to-moderate income individuals and families move toward brighter, more economically secure futures.”

NLC’s recent report, “City Financial Inclusion Efforts: A National Overview,” lists four “pillars” of financial inclusion efforts:

1. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) outreach
2. Multi-benefit outreach/access
3. Financial education, counseling, and coaching
4. Homeownership assistance

While in Chicago, Mayor Peduto described the local assets we have in Pittsburgh which provide those services:

1. The United Way, whose Money in Your Pocket Coalition provides access to free tax preparation
2. Financial Opportunity Centers, where residents can get assistance with employment searches, benefits access and financial coaching
3. NeighborWorks of Western PA, which provides assistance to those with a goal to purchase a home
4. The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh’s Bank On program, that connects residents with safe and affordable financial services.

Neighborhood Allies is proud to join Mayor Peduto and National League of Cities in advancing efforts that build financial security to move Pittsburgh’s families and neighborhoods forward! For more information on Economic Opportunity and Financial Inclusion in Pittsburgh, contact Sarah Dieleman Perry.