LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Fifth Third Bank Homeownership Mobile (aka the “eBus”) will be rolling into Lafayette, Indiana this Wednesday (tomorrow) and Thursday, June 3 and 4. The Homeownership Mobile is a 40-foot bus that doubles as a mobile classroom to provide credit counseling, financial literacy, homeownership assistance and foreclosure prevention directly to where people live and work.

A self-contained mobile classroom on wheels, the eBus is Internet-equipped with 14 computer terminals for instructor-led or self-directed homeownership and credit counseling programs, and access to comprehen-sive financial services information.

Fifth Third Bank has several community partners that will help make the eBus program a success in-cluding: The Community College Foundation, Lafayette Adult Resource Academy (LARA), Family Services, Inc., Hanna Community Center, Habitat for Humanity of Lafayette, Inc., Experience Works, Lafayette Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc., Internal Revenue Service, and Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA).

This is the fifth year the eBus has visited Indiana. In 2008, and in just 15 days time, more than 8,931 Central and Northeastern Indiana residents stepped aboard the Homeownership Mobile; 307 received free credit reports; and 242 received one-on-one counseling sessions.

A Mobile Classroom
A self-contained mobile classroom on wheels, the eBus is Internet-equipped with 14 computer terminals for instructor-led or self-directed homeownership and credit counseling programs, and access to comprehen-sive financial services information, including the free Fifth Third Homeownership Guide and Dream Guard life planning materials. Fifth Third community development officers, mortgage professionals and retail banking staff will be on board the Homeownership Mobile along with community partners to promote financial literacy, homeownership assistance and foreclosure prevention in an informal and relaxed atmosphere. On the bus, visitors will be able to:

• Request a free credit report and review it onboard.
• Request a free credit report with a credit score that will be mailed directly to you.
• Receive a free consultation on loss mitigation and foreclosure prevention.
• Receive a free personalized evaluation of finances.
• Speak with non-profit organizations that provide housing, money management and business advice.
• Browse free multi-lingual, self-directed programs on homeownership and credit counseling.

“The housing market has suffered through a tumultuous year and there have been many changes,” said Beverly Mukes-Gaither, Senior Vice President of Community Development for Fifth Third Bank, Central Indiana. “The eBus arrives at an opportune time to help people who have questions and for them to realize they have options even in this challenging market. Fifth Third believes that in order to build a better tomorrow we must meet the community’s needs today.”

eBus Schedule

• Wednesday, June 3: LARA, 1100 Elizabeth St., Lafayette, Noon-6:00p
• Thursday, June 4: Howarth Center, 615 N. 18th St. Lafayette, 10:00a–3:00p

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LAFAYETTE, Ind. — There is a WorkKeys Assessment scheduled at The Lafayette Adult Resource Academy (LARA) on Thursday, July 17th from 5:30p to 8:30p. WorkKeys is a job skills assessment system for measuring, communicating and improving the common skills that are needed for success in the workplace.

Many employers are requiring job seekers to take the assessment. Upon successful completion of the assessment, participants can earn a Bronze, Silver or Gold certificate. The Governor of Indiana signs the Silver and Gold Certificates.

LARA is located at 1100 Elizabeth Street, Suite 3, Lafayette, Indiana. Anyone interested or who would like more information should call LARA at 765-476-2920 and ask for the WorkOne Express.