Contact: Rob Kremer, CO&P Integrated Marketing

(404) 961-2224, RKremer@CO-P.com

Non-profit organization expands services by launching financial education programs designed to benefit the senior population and for employers to assist employees

Raleigh, NC (March 18, 2013) - Consumer Education Services, Inc. (CESI), a non-profit service provider of comprehensive personal financial education and solutions for all life stages, announced that Cary Chandler has been named as the company’s Chief Marketing Officer. Chandler’s first task will be to lead CESI’s launch of two new services – Assure Money Services and WiseTrac. Since its inception in 1998, CESI has helped hundreds of thousands of consumers nationwide improve their money management skills and experience debt-free living.

With more than 30 years as a leader in building emerging markets and channel development in a wide range of industries, services and non-profits for companies such as CWNP, Vadum Technologies and A.D.A.M. Software, Chandler has helped build companies from start-up to an initial public offering, as well as serving as the COO for the non-profit Successful Christian Living Ministries.

Chandler said, “The goal is to elevate the core attributes of the CESI brand, which will allow the company to move beyond simply helping those who are already in debt and into educating consumers on how to create learned behaviors to teach them how to stay out of financial troubles. As our business evolves, the company continues to respond to consumer demand and this is part of that evolution.”

CESI is a not-for-profit organization that helps consumers achieve financial freedom by offering a complete life cycle of services: debt management, housing counseling, credit counseling, financial education and pre-bankruptcy counseling.  For more information, please visit www.CesiDebtSolutions.org or call 1-855-716-2451.

Contact: Rob Kremer, CO&P Integrated Marketing

(404) 961-2224, RKremer@CO-P.com

Non-profit organization seeking to change lives with programs designed to benefit the senior population and for employers to assist employees

Raleigh, N.C. – Consumer Education Services, Inc. (CESI), a non-profit service provider of comprehensive personal financial education and solutions for all life stages, is pleased to launch two new services – Assure Money Services and WiseTrac. Since its inception in 1998, CESI has helped hundreds of thousands of consumers nationwide improve their money management skills and experience debt-free living.

“These two programs are geared to different audiences – active workers and retirees – but with the same goal of helping consumers reclaim their financial freedom,” said Diane Chen, CEO of CESI. “Assure Money Services assists older consumers in budgeting for their future to ease the financial stresses of retirement. WiseTrac enables employers to offer a financial literacy program to their employees, therefore increasing their productivity and relieving the stresses of money management.”

Assure Money Services changes the way seniors view money management

Assure Money Services (AMS), is an innovative financial services product that enables older consumers – and their caregivers – to plan for and live a financially-stable retirement by linking our financial counseling with a suite of CESI products including online bill pay, budgeting, educational tools and benefits analysis. AMS is available for purchase directly from CESI or through partnerships with government agencies and associations that serve the seniors marketplace.

Studies at the Center for Retirement Research show that one-third of this older population faces “severe financial stress” due to unexpected medical bills or life events. A significant number of the lower-income households in the United States do not have a financial relationship with a bank or credit union from which to draw in an emergency. The result is that many older adults find themselves losing their independence and requiring assistance from family members. AMS seeks to eliminate this stress for the older adult and their family.

After an initial assessment with a trained financial counselor, the client is set up with a tailored online educational program that addresses any issues they might be facing. The counselor and the client start an action plan to deal with debt, cash flow and savings, as well as looking into options that save money and time such as online bill pay. The client’s existing banking services are, as necessary, expanded to include checking and savings accounts, as well as long-term retirement funds.

“The AMS program is relevant and timely to retired seniors during their individual life stages, immediately actionable with clear goals and activities set up front, and ongoing through monthly individual phone counseling, monthly bill pay and cash management and online assistance and alerts,” said Neil Ellington, Executive Vice President at CESI.

Ellington continued, “The positive impacts of the AMS services will be far-reaching for consumers and their families. Through the ongoing personal counseling and tools available, the majority of enrolled individuals will meet the goals that were set at enrollment with the help of the CESI counselor.”

WiseTrac enables employers an easy way to educate their employees on finance

Through WiseTrac, CESI has developed an innovative, behavior-driven financial education program geared toward pioneering employers that focus on the financial well-being of their staff.

WiseTrac counselors will work with individual employees to identify their specific financial goals, determine what behavioral modifications are necessary to achieve them, map out a customized action plan to monitor incremental behavioral change and track major indicators to determine success.

“Each participant will complete a comprehensive financial analysis that includes pre-testing to determine their level of financial education and post-testing to help determine advanced knowledge of each behavior modification necessary for success,” said Ellington. “It’s important to note that after each interaction, the participant will be given a specific action plan based on their own level of engagement.”

Company benefits from offering financial education include saving money through improved productivity, reduced health care costs, lower absenteeism and turnover, and better use of employee benefits. According to a 2009 Financial Literacy Partners study, the typical ROI for employers who provide employees with access to quality financial literacy programs is 3:1 or more.

WiseTrac by CESI offers three different levels of engagement for companies to provide their employees:

• Guided – Self-reporting through a secure CESI website to gauge level of understanding and opportunity for advancement.
• Monitored – Monthly reporting sessions where CESI counseling staff reviews major indicators with each participant.
• Managed – This level of service includes monitored service and a more intensive, detailed counseling session where all financial activity is verified. Using the client’s current financial relationships, we use tools to design the optimal solution and confirm success each month by setting up a specific pre-pay schedule for debt and savings.

By offering these varying levels of support, CESI’s comprehensive approach enables consistent, positive decision making, which leads to incremental behavior change. This is vitally important, since studies show that individuals attending financial education workshops desire the benefits of better financial fitness. They also express a desire to increase their savings, pay down credit card debt and contribute to their retirement plan. Following the workshops, attendees claim to have an increased confidence in making financial decisions. Unfortunately, history tells us that these insights are short-lived.

“WiseTrac is practical, financial education courseware that offers one-on-one coaching and teaches the basics and advanced skills for personal and professional finance management,” said Ellington. “The courses are designed to effect long-term change of behavior in finance management versus focusing solely on the transfer of knowledge.”

Courses available through the WiseTrac curriculum include understanding credit, debt management, housing, 401(k) investing and many others.

CESI is a not-for-profit organization that helps consumers achieve financial freedom by offering a complete life cycle of services: debt management, housing counseling, credit counseling, financial education and pre-bankruptcy counseling. For more information, please visit www.CesiDebtSolutions.org or call 1-855-716-2451.

Non -profit organization especially seeking to help those in need in North Carolina and others across the country affected by Hurricane Sandy

Raleigh, NC (Dec. 21, 2012) - Consumer Education Services, Inc. (CESI), a non-profit service provider of comprehensive personal financial education and solutions for all life stages and all of life’s milestones, is hosting their 2^nd Annual  Angel Tree program. The Angel Tree benefits participants in CESI’s Debt Management Program who are facing exceptional hardships, particularly those living in North Carolina and others across the country affected by Hurricane Sandy in October.

In the past, CESI collected items from its Angel Tree program and provided them to the Salvation Army, which then delivered the items to local families. This year, CESI employees are using the Angel Tree as a way to reach out their own clients, particularly those affected by the hurricane. CESI employees have been asked to pick a tag from the company’s Christmas tree and bring back the wrapped present, which will then be distributed to CESI clients in North Carolina and beyond.

“Whether it’s to help a local family in North Carolina or a family who lost everything in Hurricane Sandy, the goal of the Angel Tree program this year is to help these families get back on their feet and have an enjoyable holiday season,” said Diane Chen, CEO of CESI. “The holidays can be a hard time for families when they are not able to celebrate by sharing gifts; it’s our goal to bring a little hope and happiness to those families in need this holiday season.”

CESI is a not-for-profit organization for consumers who want financial freedom by offering a complete life cycle of services: debt management, housing counseling, credit counseling, financial education and pre-bankruptcy counseling.  For more information, please visit www.cesidebtsolutions.org.

Contact: Rob Kremer, CO&P Integrated Marketing

(404) 961-2224, RKremer@CO-P.com

Non-for-profit organization received home and financial assistance for the rehab from Wells Fargo on behalf of the Wells Fargo Housing Foundation

Raleigh, NC (Dec. 7, 2012) - Consumer Education Services, Inc. (CESI) Homeownership Center was the beneficiary of a foreclosed home in Graham, NC, from Wells Fargo on behalf of the Wells Fargo Housing Foundation (Wells Fargo). In addition, CESI was the recipient of funds and voluntary man hours from Wells Fargo to assist in the rehab effort. After CESI finishes rehabbing the home, the non-profit organization will make it available to a military veteran person in need to take ownership of the home.

Located at 410 Climax St. in Graham, the home is approximately 1,000 square feet. The three-bedroom, one-bath house sits in Alamance County.

CESI serves as the general contractor for the rehab project and plans to complete the project so that a family is able to move into the home by Christmas.

“We are very excited to have Wells Fargo recognize our work in the community by allowing CESI to rehab this home for a family in need,” said Sheryl Merritt, CESI Housing Program Manager. “CESI assists families with financial advice and home ownership guidance, so we are pleased that we can offer this life-changing opportunity for a veteran prior to the holidays.”

Both the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency and the North Carolina Foreclosure Prevention Fund have recently recognized CESI’s Homeownership Center for their outstanding work in the state.

CESI is a not-for-profit organization for consumers who want financial freedom by offering a complete life cycle of services: debt management, housing counseling, credit counseling, financial education and pre-bankruptcy counseling.  For more information, please visit www.cesidebtsolutions.org.

Members of the CESI team assist Habitat for Humanity with building a home in Raleigh.

Contact: Rob Kremer, CO&P Integrated Marketing

(404) 961-2224, RKremer@CO-P.com

Not-for-profit organization helps local family rebuild their life with the construction of a new home

Raleigh, NC (Oct. 8, 2012) – The staff at Consumer Education Services, Inc. (CESI) hear stories every day from clients across the country about how circumstances have adversely affected their economic lives. CESI’s team decided to band together to make a difference in the Raleigh community by joining forces with Habitat for Humanity to build a home in the community.

Sixteen members from CESI’s headquarters in Raleigh teamed together to build wall reinforcements and install landscaping for a home in the Raleigh area.

“As a group, we decided to take on this project, because CESI is committed to giving back to the community in which we live and serve,” said Diane Chen, CESI’s CEO. “It’s also important for our organization, which assists families with financial advice and home ownership guidance, that we assist families who face dire housing situations, as this is near and dear to CESI’s own company mission.”

Habitat for Humanity International is a global nonprofit housing organization that seeks to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has served more than 500,000 families by welcoming people of all races, religions and nationalities to construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. For more information, to donate or to volunteer, please visit www.Habitat.org.

CESI is a not-for-profit organization for consumers who want financial freedom by offering a complete life cycle of services: debt management, housing counseling, credit counseling, financial education and pre-bankruptcy counseling.  For more information, please visit www.cesidebtsolutions.org.

NEW YORK (April 27, 2012) –The United Athletes Foundation (UAF), Builders of Hope and Consumer Education Services, Inc. (CESI) today announced an initiative, Bring It Home, that will revitalize blighted communities by developing quality, safe, affordable housing and teach financial literacy to the new homebuyers and renters moving into the renovated houses.  The organizations will pilot this innovative program in Baltimore and Atlanta.

“During these tough economic times, both affordable housing and neighborhood blight have emerged as critical issues for every city across our nation,” said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed.  “I welcome initiatives which restore our neighborhoods and give residents the pride of home ownership.  I am delighted that the United Athletes Foundation, Builders of Hope and Consumer Education Services have chosen Atlantaas a pilot city for Bring It Home.”

NFL stars Ray Lewis and Reggie Howard will serve as Bring It Home’s  local ambassadors in Baltimore and Atlanta, respectively. Lewis, legendary linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens and MVP of Super Bowl XXXV, serves as the Vice Chairman of the non-profit UAF board. Howard, who played seven seasons in the NFL and intercepted Tom Brady in Super Bowl XXXVIII, founded UAF and serves as its President and  Executive Director.

“The Bring It Home initiative is the perfect marriage of how athletes can leverage their celebrity status to impact positive change in their communities through education and social development,” Howard said. “We believe the awareness that UAF ambassadors can bring to the growing problem of abandoned, vacant housing in our cities will help Builders of Hope and CESI turn blighted neighborhoods into vibrant communities.”

As ambassadors for Bring It Home, UAF athletes will be empowered to work with CESI and Builders of Hope to raise awareness of the need for affordable housing and help rebuild the neighborhoods where their fans reside.

The initiative is designed to help targeted communities renovate housing and repopulate neighborhoods, which in turns helps stabilize home prices, increase safety, and spur additional investment in the surrounding community. Builders of Hope will dedicate $30 million of private investment to the program and will rehabilitate approximately 500 homes in each market.

Builders of Hope Upcycles Homes To Create Affordable Housing

Builders of Hope, a Raleigh-based non-profit, has gained national recognition for its innovative approach to affordable housing and urban renewal through whole-house recycling of vacant or foreclosed properties.

The organization’s Upcycle program transforms real estate owned, or REO,  properties into energy efficient, affordable rentals for working-class Americans.  Through the Bring It Home initiative, the organizations will make available thousands of energy efficient, affordable rentals in each market. Builders of Hope will handle property assessment, acquisition, rehabilitation, leasing and sales, and rental management.

“Bring It Home is specifically designed to address the many interconnected housing issues that the nation is struggling with – the lack of affordable rentals, the surplus of foreclosed houses, the neighborhoods suffering from blight and the inefficient state of our existing housing stock,” explained Nancy Welsh, founder and CEO of Builders of Hope. “We’re thrilled to partner with UAF and CESI get Americans back into housing.”

CESI’s Pathways to Home Ownership

Homeownership is about more than just having a nice house to live in; it’s about having the financial skills to sustain it. CESI’s Pathways to Home Ownership program will teach the individuals and families moving into the renovated housing the money management skills needed to live on a budget that will allow for rent/mortgage payments in addition to living expenses and savings.

CESI will assist with the screening of participants in the Bring It Home program. Participants will be then be assigned to one of three programs: a home ownership program lasting three-to-four months, a rent-to-own program lasting six-nine months, or a Pathways program lasting twelve to eighteen months.  Every program will include in-person and telephone counseling sessions designed to teach budgeting, money management and credit skills that will help individuals and families meet their financial responsibilities.

“We are proud to join with Builders of Hope and UAF to provide this holistic approach to rebuilding neighborhoods through home ownership and financial literacy,” says Dr. Diane Chen, CEO of CESI. “Too often people move into a new house without the financial skills needed to maintain it. This initiative features the best organizations joining in a partnership to create safe, stable communities.”

Star-studded events include financial literacy, awards gala celebration and community events;

Major announcement of new initiative with non-profits CESI and Builders of Hope;

Fans can attend gala event or register online to win autographed memorabilia

NEW YORK CITY (April 16, 2012) – NFL Legends Ray Lewis and Jim Brown are hosting multiple events in New York City on April 27 – 28 to raise funds and awareness for the United Athlete’s Foundation (UAF), a non-profit organization whose mission it is to leverage the celebrity status of professional athletes to impact positive change in their communities. Fans will have an opportunity to attend the Awards Gala Celebration, as well as register online to win autographed memorabilia.

During the event, sponsors of the Charity Weekend – Consumer Education Services Inc. (CESI) and Builders of Hope – will announce a partnership with UAF that will change the lives of many low income families by helping them find high-quality, safe affordable housing and manage their finances in major markets such as Atlanta and Baltimore.

Reggie Howard, who played seven seasons in the NFL and intercepted Tom Brady in Super Bowl 38, founded UAF and serves as its President & Executive Director. “As a veteran of the NFL, I fully understand and appreciate the ability of professional athletes to positively influence and impact society,” said Howard. “This weekend celebrates all the hard work that these athletes do throughout the year to give back in their communities.”

Held in New York City, the weekend includes activities for children and adults, including:

• Financial Literacy Symposium, Friday April 27, from 10 – 12 p.m.: In addition to Lewis and Brown, distinguished panelists include Sam & Wilma McNabb (parents of NFL’s Donovan McNabb), Pat O’Conner (CEO of Minor League Baseball), Craig Shapero (CEO of Fairway Payments), Ray Pellecchia (VP of NYSEuronext Communications), Lew Schulman (President of Builders of Hope) and Neil Ellington (EVP of CESI). The event will be held at the NYSE.
• Awards Gala Ceremony, Friday, April 27, from 2 – 4 p.m.: Celebrating the accomplishments of a group of individuals who have taken it upon themselves to make a difference in the lives of others, this gala event held at the NYSE will honor the following individuals as Athletes of the Year:
  • Pat O’Conner, CEO MiLB – Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Cathy Harbin, Executive Director, Golf 20/20 – Athlete of Year
  • Melvin Ingram, Univ. of South Carolina, Top NFL Draft Pick – College Athlete of Year

Past award recipients include Alonzo Mourning, Hank Aaron, Jerry Rice and Dominique Wilkins. 

•  Community Event – Youth Financial Literacy Symposium, Saturday, April 28, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Held at the Jackie Robinson Community Center (89 Bradhurst Ave., between 146 & 147 Sts.), students from area high schools will hear from Lewis and Brown about managing money.

“This charity weekend is an opportunity for me to begin passing the torch to the next generation of professional athletes, such as Reggie Howard and Ray Lewis from UAF, who are committed to giving back to their communities,” said Jim Brown, who founded the Ameri-I-Can Foundation in 1988. “It’s an honor to work with these leaders from UAF, because they are making a significant positive impact for inner-city families. I look forward to our organizations continuing to work together to make a positive difference together for years to come.”

UAF, CESI & Builders of Hope Rebuilding Communities

CESI and Builders of Hope are partnering with UAF to help achieve the UAF mission of “Empowering Athletes to impact communities through education and social development.”  The first initiative of this new partnership will be announced at the UAF Charity Weekend.

CESI, Builders of Hope and UAF will work together to renovate and rebuild neighborhoods by creating affordable housing and financial literacy though the Builders of Hope “Upcycle” neighborhood revitalization program and CESI’s Pathways to Homeownership program.

“We are proud to join with Builders of Hope and UAF to make a difference in communities across the United States,” says Dr. Diane Chen, CEO of CESI. “This initiative features the best organizations providing a holistic approach to financial literacy and affordable housing.”

Builders of Hope is an established and innovative leader in creating and rebuilding neighborhoods by providing high-quality, safe and sustainable workforce housing through the reuse of vacant or abandoned housing inventory. Individuals and families moving into the rehabilitated housing will learn techniques and skills from CESI that are necessary to live on a budget that will allow for rent/mortgage payments as well as cost of living expenses and savings.

“We believe the awareness that UAF Athletes can bring to the problem of blighted and vacant housing in our cities will help us provide safe, sustainable and truly affordable housing while rebuilding neighborhoods and transforming lives,” said Nancy Welsh, CEO of Builders of Hope.

 Get Gala Tickets, Register to Win Autographed Memorabilia

For more information regarding the limited tickets available to the public for the Awards Gala Celebration, call UAF at 404-981-4470 or visit online at www.UnitedAthletesFoundation.org. To register to win autographed memorabilia or to learn more about the CESI, Builders of Hope and UAF partnership, please visit www.UAFsolutions.com beginning April 25.

 “We encourage fans to visit our event website and partnership site to learn more about how these organizations are joining forces to impact change, as well as register to win autographed memorabilia,” said Howard. “This is an easy way for fans to connect with these legends and make a difference in the lives of many families.”

About United Athletes Foundation

The United Athletes Foundation is a 501c3 public non-profit organization created in 2008 by a group of professional athletes who understood their unique role in improving the lives of both the athlete fraternity and society in its entirety. To date, there are more than 100 professional athletes associated with the UA Foundation including members of the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA and professional boxing. Founded by former NFL player Reggie Howard, the UAF Board of Directors/advisors includes Ray Lewis, Hank Aaron, Julius Erving and Ambassador Andrew Young.  For more information, please visit the Foundation’s website at http://www.unitedathletesfoundation.org/.

About CESI

Consumer Education Services Inc. is a not-for-profit organization for consumers who want financial freedom. CESI offers a complete life cycle of services: credit counseling, debt management, housing counseling, financial education and bankruptcy counseling.  Since its inception in 1998, CESI has helped hundreds of thousands of consumers nationwide improve their money management skills and experience debt free living.  CESI’s Homeownership Center supports the delivery of a wide variety of housing counseling services to potential homebuyers and current homeowners. Counselors provide guidance, advice, and advocacy to help families and individuals meet their financial responsibilities and improve their housing conditions and choices. The division helps families facing foreclosure and financial crisis as well as clients looking to purchase their first home.  For more information, please visit www.cesidebtsolutions.org.

 About Builders of Hope

Builders of Hope is a non-profit organization, 501(c)3 based in Raleigh, N.C. that provides safe, affordable housing to working families through a comprehensive model that incorporates economic benefits, environmental stewardship and social solutions. The organization helps families who otherwise couldn’t afford it, purchase a home of their own or rent quality housing. Builders of Hope saves homes slated for demolition and recycles them using its “Extreme Green Rehabilitation” model for residential construction. The patent-pending process creates beautiful, healthier homes that are energy efficient and less costly to maintain. In Dallas, Builders of Hope operates under the name EcoLogical Community Builders.

About Amer-I-Can

The Amer-I-Can Foundation for Social Change, Inc. was founded in 1988 by Jim Brown upon the belief that self-esteem is the key to improving one’s decision-making process and achieving success through self-determination. The Amer-I-Can Life Skills Training program has been successfully implemented in prisons, jails, juvenile probation camps, middle schools, high schools, colleges, universities, businesses and communities. For more information please visit the Foundation’s website at www.amer-i-can.org.

White House, HUD and CESI Debt Solutions Salute Local Housing Counselors as “Champions of Change”

Raleigh, NC – On Thursday, March 1^st in Los Angeles, California, the White House and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development honored the eleven housing counselors as Champions of Change for their hard work, perseverance and dedication to their communities.

“Housing counselors work tremendously hard, each and every day, to help families realize the American dream,” said White House Senior Advisor, Valerie Jarrett. “From helping homeowners avoid foreclosure to making sure tenants understand their rights to working with borrowers to restore their credit, the men and women we honor today truly are Champions of Change.”

The Homeownership Center, a division of the Raleigh, N.C.-based credit counseling agency, CESI Debt Solutions was proud to join the White House in the salute.

Sheryl Merritt, housing program manager at the Homeownership Center said, “We have served on the front lines of the battle against foreclosure since this housing crisis began, helping thousands of homeowners and tenants stay in their homes and improve their financial health.  We are grateful to the armies of talented, caring and knowledgeable counselors, including our very own and those across the country.”

She continued, “Counselors guide renters and potential homeowners in managing their housing choices, provide critical information on rights and responsibilities, the importance of savings, ways to manage credit and debt responsibly, and how to become a good neighbor.”

The Champions of Change program was created as a part of President Obama’s Winning the Future initiative. Each week, a different sector is highlighted and groups of Champions, ranging from educators to entrepreneurs to community leaders, are recognized for the work they are doing to serve and strengthen their communities.

Housing counseling assistance was developed over 40 years ago at a time of severe disinvestment in housing, unaffordable interest rates, high unemployment and irresponsible lending practices. Today, HUD approves, monitors and supports counseling organizations and tracks their output.  Recent initiatives have extended the number and location of HUD-approved housing counseling organizations and reduced the amount of time and complexity of the process to award HUD housing counseling grants.

To learn more about our Champions and watch video of the event, go to www.whitehouse.gov/champions.