The New Jersey Bankers Association, in partnership with OceanFirst Bank and VFW Post 1333 in Neptune, recently held a financial literacy class for veterans in the state.
The class was facilitated by OceanFirst’s Tom Vogel, who spoke to the importance of credit scores, saving, creating personal budgets to achieve financial goals, and identity theft.
NJBankers VP/Director of Government Affairs Brittany Wheeler also addressed attendees.
The event is just the latest effort by NJ Bankers to support veterans. This was the fourth veterans’ financial literacy class that NJBankers hosted with one of its member banks over the past year.
“It’s been an honor to meet with our state’s veterans and provide this critical programming,” Wheeler said. “Now, more than ever, with the prevalence of fraud targeting our veterans, this work is extremely important. We want to give them the tools and resources to take control of their finances and thrive.”
The NJBankers Charitable Foundation also recently made a $8,500 donation to the New Jersey Council for the Humanities to support the Clemente Course in the Humanities, which is open and free of charge to veterans across the state.
The free college humanities courses empower adult students to further their education and careers, become effective advocates for themselves and their families, and engage in cultural and political life.
With NJBankers support, the 12-week course will be offered through Atlantic Cape Community College this fall, specifically for veterans of the U.S. military, regardless of discharge status.
“Support from the NJBankers Charitable Foundation will allow NJCH and Atlantic Cape Community College to expand the Clemente Veteran’s Initiative humanities course to additional veterans and active-duty service people across New Jersey,” NJCH Director of Programs Gigi Naglak said. “This course allows participants to process their personal experiences in a broader social and historical context and gain credentials towards further education and employment.”
