CNE's popular Money School comes to Red Bank

Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise's annual Money School, held in Brainerd, draws a large crowd. CNE is hosting a "mini" version in Red Bank, and is "happy to bring it to the north side so that Red Bank, Hixson and Soddy-Daisy can more easily take advantage of what's offered," said CNE Communications and Special Projects Manager Jennifer Holder. (Contributed photo)
Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise's annual Money School, held in Brainerd, draws a large crowd. CNE is hosting a "mini" version in Red Bank, and is "happy to bring it to the north side so that Red Bank, Hixson and Soddy-Daisy can more easily take advantage of what's offered," said CNE Communications and Special Projects Manager Jennifer Holder. (Contributed photo)
photo In addition to the formal workshops, the upcoming Mini-Money School at Red Bank High School will feature booths with information on planning for college and more. (Contributed photo)

With a household income of just under $37,000 for two people - the median for Red Bank, according to the most recent U.S. Census data - managing money can be a bit tight.

To help locals learn how to make the most of their finances, Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise is partnering with Northside Neighborhood House to host a Mini-Money School Saturday, Nov. 18. Being held at Red Bank High School from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., the free workshop will offer guidance on entrepreneurship, understanding credit scores, homeownership, estate planning, retirement and budgeting.

"Northside Neighborhood House is working with Red Bank High School to create a 'community school.' They are adding activities for parents and teenagers after school, and Money School is a natural fit," said Jennifer Holder, communications and special projects manager for Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise, a nonprofit housing organization dedicated to "building a better Chattanooga."

"We are excited to help bridge the gap in terms of financial education for everyone in Red Bank and beyond," she said, referencing the event.

CNE has hosted an annual Money School since 2015, offering a full day of classes that have helped young couples purchase a home and others plan out their retirement.

"One couple, both teachers, realized they couldn't retire when they thought they could, but made a plan to get themselves on track," Holder said.

While the upcoming "mini" event is a condensed version, it will still offer invaluable insight on "crowd-favorite" topics, she added.

"The day is great because it's everything you need in one place, and while our Mini-Money School won't cover everything, it will still be unbelievably helpful," she said.

The event ties in with the effort to expand learning at RBHS through a "community school" model, offering both students and area residents educational opportunities on a wider range of topics than those formally taught at the school. Launched in January, the new offering, which has been dubbed "The Hub," has offered enrichment and resources ranging from family dinners and washer/dryer access for local residents, to a college funding program and leadership development for students.

"The NNH's mission is to promote the independence of individuals north of the river by providing a hand up through education and assistance," said Executive Director Rachel Gammon. "We've had great success with after-school and summer programming for K-8 students, and started working with high school students several years ago. When asked to support the students at Red Bank High School and the entire community by overseeing the first community school in Hamilton County, we were so excited."

The model, identified by local education advocacy nonprofit UnifiEd as a way to help eliminate barriers to success, will be a part of Hamilton County's Opportunity Zone, an initiative being developed to support 12 of the district's struggling schools.

"NNH would love to replicate this model in other schools in our footprint and support other nonprofits that want to support the schools being a resource for the community," Gammon said.

As for the future of the Mini-Money School, Holder said she'd like to make it a recurring event.

"Money School has the potential make a big impact, and even more so if we can do it more often," she said.

Admission is free and includes a light breakfast, coffee and lunch. To register, or for more information, call 756-6201 or visit moneyschoolcha.org.

RBHS is at 640 Morrison Springs Road.

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