The second annual “CHA720,” a citywide campaign to increase consumer credit literacy and encourage the community to repair and raise their credit score to 720, will occur on July 20. The campaign encourages Chattanoogans to set an appointment with one of several different agencies around the city to receive free one-on-one, professional credit counseling.
On July 20, Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise, Consumer Credit Counseling Service, Operation HOPE, Bridge Financial Planning and Common Cents Financial Literacy will open their doors from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. to offer free credit counseling. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins will be accepted.
The idea came from the Mayor’s Council for Women’s research on the issue of high interest lending practices and solutions to financial problems affecting the community. Financial Independence, a workgroup of the Mayor’s Council for Women, recently completed a policy paper about the impact of high interest lending practices.
“The Mayor’s Council for Women, along with local credit counselors, have organized a way to empower our citizens financially. Citizens can have the independence they need without being identified by a bad credit score,” says Mayor Andy Berke. “This is an awareness and educational campaign that will initiate financial independence throughout the city.”
Mayor Berke announced the creation of the Council for Women during his 2015 State of the City Address. The Council addresses issues such as domestic violence, justice, education, healthcare, economic opportunity, history and leadership.
For more information about the CHA720 campaign, including the participating agencies, visit www.cneinc.org/cha720.