Consumer Action at LULAC’s National Women’s Conference

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) National Women’s Conference brought leaders and experts from around the country together in Boston, MA to recognize the contributions of outstanding women and discuss some of our nation’s pressing issues. More than 300 individuals representing a wide variety of organizations serving low-income consumers and minorities, such as La Alianza Hispana and the Mayor’s Office of New Bostonians, attended the Financial Empowerment Workshop. Moderated by Gina Sierra Nova, president of GSN Mortgage and Real Estate Agency and member of LULAC’s Boston Chapter, the session offered information and resources for individuals, entrepreneurs and community agencies serving consumers. Carbonell, Associate of National Priorities for Consumer Action, focused her bilingual remarks on access to credit and consumer rights, how to use credit responsibly, what to avoid when using credit and how to protect credit in a tough economy. During the Q&A period, one participant from a community organization commented on some of the deceptive and illegal practices a collection agency had used to get one of her clients to pay an old debt that did not even belong to her client. Carbonell took the opportunity to provide additional information and educate the audience on some of their basic rights when dealing with collection agencies and what resources are available for non-profit staff. Participants received copies of some of Consumer Action’s most popular brochures in English and Spanish, including Good Credit and Rebuilding Good Credit, both from the MoneyWi$e series. In addition, agencies and individuals interested in train-the-trainer materials had the opportunity to review the complete MoneyWi$e toolkit for trainers and obtain information on the upcoming MoneyWi$e Regional Meeting to be held in Boston on May 27th. Panelists also included Rosalin Acosta, Executive Vice President and Managing Director for Private Wealth Management for Sovereign Bank, Lisa Gonzalez, Business Development Specialist for the Small Business Administration’s Massachusetts Office and Yvonne García, Managing Director for Liberty Mutual’s Affinity Marketing Department. The Financial Empowerment Workshop allowed individuals and agencies to network and obtain critical information to take charge of their finances and better serve their clients. Regla Gonzalez, LULAC’s National Vice President for Women, honored Carbonell for her presentation and participation and awarded her with the LULAC Scarf, a token of appreciation designed by Marisol Deluna.