San Diego Public Library provided a continuum of financial/investment education services and workshops for active-duty service members, military families, and veterans using a lifelong approach to asset building, financial coaching, and consumer protection. The library’s chief partners included the San Diego Unified School District, Fleet & Family Support Services, and Homestart, Inc. (a nonprofit providing employment, family support, and financial coaching services in San Diego County). San Diego has a large military population. These families deal with deployment, separation, and reunification and the many associated financial challenges.
Key Activities:
- Organized personal finance resource events for veterans and active duty military (some of whom were transitioning out of the service) and their families in partnership with Fleet and Family Services.
- Delivered workshops for San Diego residents on budgeting, creating financial goals, bank products, tax rights/responsibilities, retirement planning, credit repair, and investing basics. The workshops took place at branch libraries and other locations serving military families.
- Provided one-on-one financial counseling with assistance from Accredited Financial Counselors who were spouses of military service members.
- Conducted a teen financial literacy video program with local public schools. High school students in the San Diego Unified School District created a series of educational videos on financial topics relevant to young adults. The students shaped a concept and then pitched their ideas to librarians and representatives from Fleet and Family Services. The video productions were considered co-curricular activities of the English and drama departments at participating schools.
- Established financial literacy centers at six participating library branches to distribute resources and to promote relevant collections and learning opportunities.
