Updated: January 2013

Multicultural/Multilingual Outreach and Training

Consumer Action’s multilingual and multicultural Community Outreach Managers counsel consumers, offer technical advice, conduct train-the-trainer workshops and presentations at community events and national conferences and provide expert analysis and commentary to English, Spanish and Chinese media on a variety of consumer issues.

Aware that the best way to reach vulnerable consumer populations is to work with trusted community entities, Consumer Action’s outreach staff leverages our national network of more than 8,000 community-based organizations by providing free multilingual publications, in-language training and support.

This growing network, the largest and most diverse of its kind, has enabled Consumer Action to expand its reach far beyond that of its 28 staff members. Network members include university extensions, credit counseling agencies, immigrant/refugee services, government agencies, libraries, churches, and social services—diverse community groups and nonprofits that share a commitment to financial literacy and consumer protection.

Consumer Action’s outreach staff uses a five-component module consisting of a multilingual consumer brochure, a leader’s guide, course curriculum, a PowerPoint presentation and in-person train-the-trainer instruction to distill complex consumer subjects down to easy-to-understand information and prepare network participants to teach the material in their own communities. Modules have been developed on a variety of specific consumer issues and general personal finance topics.

In addition to providing free training, materials and support, Consumer Action awards stipend grants of $1,000 to $5,000 to participating community groups in support of their local education and outreach efforts.

Training and Outreach Department

• Audrey Perrott, Associate Director of Outreach and Training
• Nelson Santiago, Community Outreach Manager
• Linda Williams, Community Outreach Manager
• Jamie Woo, Community Outreach Manager

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). To join the Consumer Action network, or if your group already participates and would like to find out more our services, call 415-777-9648 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)