by Diane I. Daniels
For New Pittsburgh Courier

Officials of Three Rivers Adoption Council and Family Design Resources, Inc. are concerned about the quality of services provided to youths involved in the child welfare, juvenile justice, education, medical and mental health systems. “We want to increase and improve our services to youth, said Trisha Gadson, MS of Family Design Resources.

More than 100 people representing social service agencies in the medical, legal, educational and diversity professions were on hand during the recent two-day diversity conference sponsored by Three Rivers Adoption Council and Family Design Resources, Inc. The conference, held in Monroeville was entitled, “Diversity: It’s not just black or white.”

A TRIO THAT CARES—Family Design Resources, Inc. executive director; Brenda Lawrence, MSW, keynote speaker Dr. Sharon E. Moore and Three Rivers Adoption Council CEO, Jacqueline D. Wilson, MSW/LSW are pleased with the over whelming response to their two day conference.

by Charlene Crowell

(NNPA)—In the midst of long-term, double-digit unemployment and millions of foreclosures, many in America are struggling to financially hold on. But for others, the plight of the poor is prime-time for making money—and a lot of it.

In “Broke USA,” author Gary Rivlin shares how payday lending has become a $33 billion a year “poverty industry.” With small dollar loans typically ranging from $300-$500, some in America are getting rich off of the multitudes who are just scrimping to piece together a modest living for themselves and their families.

In a recent National Public Radio Interview, Rivlin, a former reporter for The New York Times shared his reactions to his lengthy study of an industry that preys upon people with little money and few options for credit.

by Yoji Cole
For New Pittsburgh Courier

Jon Hayes, president marketing and development The FishmanCo-Arbitronix-California, has just hired two employees, opened an office in Phoenix, Ariz., and in two months is launching offices in Miami and New York.

“The future looks good and expansion has been put together with very little capital,” Hayes says.

When it comes to your money, you should know where you are, where you’re going and how you’ll get there. This all starts with the dreaded B-word, BUDGET. The very mention of the word budget sets off a feeling of confinement, restriction, limitation and loss of control. I admit there is a sense of confinement, restriction and limitation associated with managing money—but it has nothing to do with a budget. What confines, restricts and limits us is our income! So if you want to spend more, have more and save more without sacrificing your lifestyle, you simply need to earn more. A more formal definition of a budget would be a plan for spending, saving, and investing money. The importance of making a budget and sticking to it is to save for future goals while meeting present obligations.