The Origin of CARE

CARE (Credit Abuse Resistance Education) is a national organization that’s designed to alert students and adults to the many consequences of consumer credit abuse. Originally founded in 2002 by U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge John C. Ninfo II in upstate New York, CARE programs proliferated around the country until 2015 when CARE was organized into its own independent § 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. CARE developed out of a growing conviction among legal and business professionals that financial literacy in America must improve.

The CARE program achieves its mission by providing in-school presentations to students at high schools and colleges, as well as other community groups. Bankruptcy judges, lawyers, bankruptcy trustees, business professionals, and financial services professionals (including TransUnion, one of the big 3 credit bureaus) typically give these presentations. We make these presentations for free, taking time out of our own schedules to meet with students in the school environment during business hours.

CARE was the subject of a story on NPR and a segment on WTTW. You can learn more about CARE’s national organization by visiting our National Website

About the Chicago CARE Chapter

Chicago CARE has provided financial literacy classes in Chicago schools for 10+ years. We realize that a high school graduation requirement for a Chicago Public School student is that the student completes a unit of study in financial education. As outside experts for the Chicago Public Schools financial education initiative, CARE provides a perfect supplement for enriching and deepening your financial education curriculum.

We distinguish ourselves by bringing real life stories (including those we see in bankruptcy court and on credit profiles) and experiences to the classroom. Our programs have been highly successful, in part because the students appreciate both the expertise and the passion of the people making the presentations.

Last school year alone we gave 175 presentations at more than 38 different venues where we spoke to over 4000 students and other young adults. Among the schools and organizations we visited were Deerfield High School, St. Ignatius College Prep, The Mikva Challenge, and Taft High School. Because of the importance of our message, we continue to try to find new venues to help make a difference.

Now you've learned about the CARE story. Interested in helping?

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