Treasurer Goldberg Launches Applications for Inaugural Community Ambassadors Program

Community Ambassadors for the Office of Economic Empowerment will receive training and stipends to broaden their network’s personal financial capabilities

BOSTON – The State Treasurer’s Office of Economic Empowerment (OEE) announced today the launch of the Community Ambassadors Program. This initiative aims to increase the number of Massachusetts residents who have a deep understanding of financial foundations through training community representatives on money management principles and empowerment programs. Applications are now being accepted for the first cohort of Community Ambassadors.

Ambassadors will commit to a six-month engagement where they will participate in train-the-trainer workshops on personal finance topics as well as OEE offerings. Portions of the training will be led by staff from M&T Bank and will utilize lessons designed by EVERFI, a leading web-based financial education curriculum.

Once they have completed their trainings, Ambassadors will then identify opportunities within their communities to spread awareness and increase engagement of OEE’s free offerings and financial education resources to residents. Ambassadors will receive a $2,500 stipend in multiple installments, a certificate of completion, and an invitation to participate in a symposium on economic empowerment in Massachusetts.

Anyone in Massachusetts dedicated to their community can apply to become an Ambassador. Multilingual speakers and residents of Gateway Cities are highly encouraged to apply.

“People of all ages and backgrounds need financial education resources to navigate today's challenging world,” said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg. “The Community Ambassadors Program is a tremendous way to better reach and meet the unique needs of everyone throughout the state.”

“As a financial institution, our purpose is to make a difference in people's lives. Providing innovative ways to break barriers to economic resiliency is one of the ways we work to empower individuals and communities to improve their overall well-being,” said Grace Lee, Eastern Massachusetts Regional President and Group Lead of New England Government Banking at M&T Bank. “For over five years, OEE and our team have partnered to find solutions to pivotal financial topics. This program will ensure that Ambassadors have the tools they need to strengthen their communities’ financial readiness.”

Ten Community Ambassadors will be selected for the first cohort. Applications are open until March 8th. Those interested can visit https://www.mass.gov/communityambassadors to learn more and apply.

About the Office of Economic Empowerment

Treasurer Goldberg created the Office of Economic Empowerment, led by a deputy treasurer, with the deliberate goal of implementing a range of economic empowerment initiatives that include closing the race and gender wage gap, addressing racial equity, increasing access to financial education, and creating pathways to economically stable futures for all residents across the state.

About M&T Bank M&T Bank Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York. M&T's principal banking subsidiary, M&T Bank, provides banking products and services in 12 states across the eastern U.S. from Maine to Virginia and Washington, D.C. Trust-related services are provided in select markets in the U.S. and abroad by M&T's Wilmington Trust-affiliated companies and by M&T Bank.

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