Eight counties | 36 cities | one region

ST. JAMES—The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) and Phelps County Public Housing Agency (PHA) Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) will host a free workshop Oct. 11 on “Your Money, Your Goals” in St. James.

This program provides tools to make positive spending decisions, order and fix credit reports, avoid tricks and traps in choosing financial products, make decisions about repaying debts, keep track of income and bills and decide if a checking account is needed.

The workshop will be held from 10:00 a.m. to noon at Phelps County PHA, 4 Industrial Drive, St. James, with Christy Saylor, Missouri Ozarks Community Action (MOCA) county projects coordinator, presenting.

“These classes are beneficial for anyone who feels they need assistance with budgeting and life skills,” said Savannah Vandegriffe, family self-sufficiency coordinator.

Workshops are offered at no cost to the participant. Please RSVP by calling Vandegriffe at 573-265-4200 or via email at svandegriffe@meramecregion.org.

Free training classes are a part of the MRPC and PHA’s efforts to help prepare families who are first time homebuyers for homeownership and make them aware of the resources available to assist with homeownership. Each participant who attends will receive a $25 Wal-Mart gift card, as long as they meet income qualifications.

For more information on the homeownership program and workshop, contact Vandegriffe.

Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. A professional staff of 23, directed by the MRPC board, offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

MRPC provides staffing to the Phelps County Public Housing Agency that provides rental assistance to over 700 low-income families in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps (outside the city limits of Rolla) and Washington counties. The PHA also offers the Family Self-Sufficiency Program where clients develop a goal-oriented, five-year plan that moves them toward self-sufficiency and independence from government programs.

To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.orgor on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.