Alvernia’s O’Pake Institute receives funding for bilingual financial empowerment series

O'Pake Institute Financial Empowerment Series

From left: Fabiola Flores, student Elijah Carr, Lizette Epps, students Brody Degroodt, Hailey Lopez and D’Artagnion Moses

Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credit Program funded initiative to promote financial literacy for Berks County businesses and entrepreneurs

51�Թ�’s O’Pake Institute launches a bilingual financial empowerment series designed to promote financial literacy among Berks County businesses and entrepreneurs. This program received funding support from the and business contributors M&T Bank and Mid Penn Bank. It began with a kickoff event on Friday.

“We are grateful for the support of NAP to be able to offer another tangible way to equip local businesses and entrepreneurs with accessible tools and resources that they need to start, grow and sustain their business in Berks County,” said 51�Թ� Vice President of Research, Economic Development and Innovation and COO of the O’Pake Institute, Rodney S. Ridley Sr., Ph.D., RTTP. “In addition to the services offered through the SPARK Business Incubator, technology transfer office and our microgrant program, the financial empowerment series will allow us to continue Alvernia and O’Pake’s mission to contribute to economic development efforts and entrepreneurial spirit in Greater Reading.”

Programming will officially commence on Feb. 27 with 15 sessions available on Thursdays and Saturdays through Sept. 20. There are two different paths, entrepreneurial finance and personal finance offered through in-person, virtual and self-paced formats. Students in the O’Pake Fellows Program gained first-hand experience by assisting with creating the presentations and scheduling the coursework developed by the O’Pake Institute Executive Director of Community and Economic Development, Lizette Epps, MBA, CUDE, CNP, AWA.

O’Pake Fellows and staff will host the sessions alongside subject matter experts from local financial institutions. Sessions will cover a wide range of topics from the basics of personal finance, credit scores and investing to more specific, tactical topics such as business lending strategies, emergency fund preparation and identifying small business scams.

“Bilingual financial education is more than just learning about money, it’s about opening doors to new possibilities for individuals, families, and small businesses across our community,” said Epps. “This program empowers participants to build confidence in their financial decisions, create lasting stability, and pursue their dreams. Together, we’re fostering a stronger, more connected community where everyone has the tools to thrive.”

The concept for the series was developed through the Cultural Coalition, where bilingual financial education was identified as a significant community need. The O’Pake Institiute spearheaded the initiative and by mobilizing staff and students in the O’Pake Fellows Program to develop the series. Focusing on Downtown Reading’s current economic renaissance, 51�Թ�'s O'Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship and community leaders formed the Cultural Coalition, a volunteer-based, Berks County-focused, strategic planning and execution group that aids in identifying and attending to some of the city’s social and economic issues.

The coalition is comprised of three task forces which include arts and culture, community and neighborhood revitalization and education and workforce development and several projects, including a block captain and stewardship program, the relaunching of the First Friday events, and the creation of a financial consortium are already underway. The education and workforce development task force’s primary focus is partnering with organizations and institutions in the City of Reading and Greater Berks County to enhance access to post-secondary opportunities in the workforce and higher education in the region. Opportunities are abundant through the five institutes of higher education in the area, along with many forms of continued post-secondary education and skill development that can provide high school graduates with the advantage needed to fulfill their goals and dreams.

For more information and to sign up for the series, please contact: O’Pake Institute Community Impact Specialist, Fabiola Flores at fabiola.flores@alvernia.edu/610-796-5013