Latino immigrants frequently have a hard time figuring out how the U.S. financial system works. They lack an understanding of such concepts as credit, mortgage and investments.
The Mexican Consulate, the County Office of Education and National City have banded together to fill in that gap by organizing the second annual "Semana de Educación Financiera," or Financial Education Week, to be held March 12 to 17.
It's packed with talks and workshops across the region offered in Spanish for free.
One of the events is the Youth Entrepreneurship Competition at Alliant International University from March 14 to 16.
It's for high school seniors who want to "turn their interests and hobbies into profitable business ventures," according to Consul-General Remedios Gómez Arnau.
The students with the most interesting plans will be able to compete for prizes, among them an iPad 2. And they may also compete for scholarships to help develop their ideas into successful businesses.
This workshop, offered boot camp style, will be in English. Students are encouraged to enroll by Feb. 28 to secure a spot.
National City Mayor Ron Morrison stressed the importance of taking advantage of the free activities, particularly young people.
"You can't sit around and wait for the jobs to arrive," he said. "It's a tough situation, and there's more competition every day; that's why we have to take advantage of these opportunities to attend and learn."
Another event is the "Feria de Educación Financiera," or Financial Education Fair, to be held March 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the South County Regional Education Center. Participants can attend talks on such topics as stretching the household budget, how to improve credit, save for college, open a business, prevent identify theft, invest in Mexico, among others. The talks are presented by representatives of public agencies, non-profit organizations and trade associations.
There also will be a series of talks in Chula Vista, Escondido, Lemon Grove, Linda Vista, Logan Heights, Mira Mesa, Bonita and San Ysidro.
For her part, Gómez Arnau stressed that all activities, except the students' camp, are open to all people.
The events are supported by the Institute of Mexicans Living in the Exterior, a group of immigrants who advises the Mexican government, and the Mexican Consulate, and will be held in 21 locations around the United States.
alexandra.mendoza@sandiegored.com
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More information about the Semana de Educación Financiera, March 12 to 17, including a calendar, is available at 619.308.9911 or at the Mexican Consulate's site.
The Feria de Educación Financiera, or financial educational fair, is March 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the South County Regional Education Center, 800 National City Blvd., National City, 91950.
All of these events are in Spanish and free.
High school students who want to participate in the Workshop for Entrepreneurs may enroll in the site California Foundation Fund before Feb. 28.
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