Welcome
New Jersey Citizen Action Education Fund (NJCAEF) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization, founded in 1983. Our goals are to promote economic and social justice, to empower and organize the unorganized, to build a strong progressive coalition working on issues of common concern, strengthening our base both collectively as a coalition and as individual organizations.
Our education focuses on community, senior, consumer, labor and other constituencies that would be affected by pocketbook issues like changes in the tax code, health care reform, environmental hazards, and utility rates. We have comprehensive outreach and training programs to assist families in dealing with insurers, banks, health providers, utilities, and telecommunications service providers. Read our complete Mission Statement. Phyllis Salowe-Kaye, NJCAEF Executive Director, was honored with a 2012 Women of Distinction Award.
Employment Opportunity! We have an immediate opening for a Statewide Education Campaign Director to lead a six-month strategic planning initiative and subsequent organizing campaign to build and coordinate an education reform coalition that can mobilize a diverse array of stakeholders from across the state. Full details here.
NJCAEF's Financial Reform Summit III
Friday, September 21, 2012 –
9:30am to 4:00pm
Paul Robeson Campus Center
Rutgers University–Newark
350 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Newark, NJ 07102
The venue is wheelchair accessible.
UPDATE! MEDIA COVERAGE: "NJ Citizen Action Education Fund Holds Financial Reform Summit" (CNBNews.net — September 21, 2012)
FOR YOUR REFERENCE, here is the original announcement:
With Special Invited Guests:
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| U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, NJ–D | Secretary Shaun Donovan, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development |
On Friday, September 21, 2012, the New Jersey Citizen Action Education Fund (NJCAEF), will be hosting its Financial Reform Summit III: "From Dodd-Frank to Occupy and Everything in Between." Admission to the event is FREE.
Join stakeholders as they discuss the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act two years later, as well as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the housing market, and the foreclosure crisis at the New Jersey Citizen Action Education Fund's upcoming Financial Reform Summit III: "From Dodd-Frank to Occupy and Everything in Between." Experts — including special invited guests U.S. Senator Robert Menendez and Secretary Shaun Donovan of the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development — will debate current policies and practices that impact the financial security and future of all consumers and homeowners in these very uncertain economic times.
THERE IS NO COST TO ATTEND THIS EVENT, however, if you would like to sponsor the event or make a donation to support NJCAEF's community reinvestment, housing, and foreclosure prevention, please click here. As an event sponsor, your name will appear on event materials, and your generous support will be acknowledged on the day of the event. Join us on September 21st!
Lunch and refreshments will be served. Seating is limited, so please register in advance by Monday, September 17, 2012. The Paul Robeson Campus Center is Wheelchair Accessible. Below see the Agenda-At-A-Glance including a list of speakers, or CLICK HERE for the PDF version. Share the Invitation.
| Financial Reform Summit III: "From Dodd-Frank to Occupy and Everything In Between" |
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| Agenda At-A-Glance | ||
9:30am |
Welcome: Phyllis Salowe-Kaye, Executive Director, New Jersey Citizen Action Education Fund |
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| 9:45am | Panel Discussion I: Rebuilding the Economy: Policies & Solutions for an Equitable and Sustainable Housing Market: There is little doubt about the role that the poorly regulated financial market played in triggering the current economic crisis in the U.S. There is also no doubt that the ongoing foreclosure crisis continues to hold the housing market, perhaps the whole economy, back from recovery. Stakeholders are working hard to influence the policies and reforms that have emerged to end the foreclosure crisis, revitalize the housing market, and rebuild the economy. Some see the government's role as key actor in the recovery of the housing market; others would let the market "bottom out," and believe recovery will occur without intervention. But can we create a safe mortgage lending system that does not cut off equitable and sustainable access to credit? |
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| Moderator: | Harold Simon, Executive Director, National Housing | |
| Panelists: | Michael Affuso, Esq., SVP/Director of Government Relations, New Jersey Bankers Association Jose Garcia, Policy Fellow, National Council of La Raza Julia Gordon, Director of Housing Finance & Policy, Center for American Progress Kirsten Keefe, Senior Staff Attorney, Empire Justice Center Preston Pinkett, III, President and CEO, City National Bank Joan Pransky, Attorney and NJCAEF Board Member |
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| 11:30am | Featured Speaker: Dean Baker, Co-Director, Center for Economic and Policy Research |
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| 12:00pm | Lunchtime Panel Discussion II: Dodd-Frank & the Next Phase of Reform: In the 2 years since the enactment of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform & Consumer Protection Act, an intense political battle has ensued over the appropriate reach of the law. Proponents continue to push for its full implementation, including protecting the independent authority of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau & enforcement of the Volcker Rule, which restricts certain kinds of speculative bank investments. Opponents see the law as going too far & want to weaken or even overturn it. What changes have occurred on Wall Street since Dodd-Frank? What does the future hold for financial reform? |
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| Moderator: | Dean Baker, Co-Director, Center for Economic and Policy Research | |
| Panelists: | Marc Armstrong, Executive Director, Public Banking Institute Patricia A. Bell, Wealth Management Advisor-Managing Director, Wealth Management, Merrill Lynch Larry Hamm, Chairman, People's Organization for Progress E. Robert Levy, Esq., Executive Director, Mortgage Bankers Association of NJ & PA Dr. Marcus Stanley, Policy Director, Americans for Financial Reform Ed Mierzwinski, Consumer Program Director, U.S. Public Interest Research Group |
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| 1:00pm | SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS: The Honorable Robert Menendez, U.S. Senator for New Jersey The Honorable Shaun Donovan, Secretary, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development |
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| 2:00pm | Panel Discussion III: Tools for Combating the Foreclosure Crisis-What's Working? What's Not? What's Needed?: Experts will discuss whether practitioners have the tools they need to keep people in their homes and whether enough is being done to prevent abuses from occurring in the future. Which federal & state laws and programs provide effective remedies for the foreclosure crisis, and which don't? Panelists will also talk about the AG Settlement & Consumer Financial Protection Bureau - are they addressing the dysfunctional foreclosure process? What more is needed to fix the system? |
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| Moderator: | The Honorable Victor DeLuca, Mayor, Maplewood Township | |
| Panelists: | The Honorable Raymond Lesniak, New Jersey State Senate (NJ-20) Marilyn Askin, Chief Legislative Advocate, AARP-New Jersey Oneshia Herring, Legislative Counsel, Center for Responsible Lending Bonita Holmes, Director of Loan Counseling & Loss Mitigation, NJ Citizen Action Education Fund Margaret Jurow, Esq., Senior Attorney, Legal Services of New Jersey Joan Straussman, Director of Programs, Housing & Community Development Network of New Jersey Timothy Touhey, Chief Executive Officer/Executive Vice President, New Jersey Builders Association |
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| 3:30pm | Closing Remarks: Phyllis Salowe-Kaye, Executive Director, New Jersey Citizen Action Education Fund |
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CLICK HERE TO REGISTER, or contact NJCAEF at 973-643-8800, x218 or email beverly@njcitizenaction.org.
The New Jersey Citizen Action Education Fund (NJCAEF) is a nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to NJCAEF are 100% tax deductible and will be strictly used to support NJCAEF's community reinvestment, housing, and foreclosure prevention work.
Executive Director Phyllis Salowe-Kaye Receives "Women of Distinction" Award
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| Phyllis Salowe-Kaye with her family and Senator Robert Menendez |
On March 11, 2012 U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) hosted his Third Annual Women of Distinction Awards to celebrate Women’s History Month. Phyllis Salowe-Kaye, Executive Director of New Jersey Citizen Action Education Fund, and New Jersey Citizen Action, was among the six honorees at the 2012 Women of Distinction Awards presented by United States Senator Robert Menendez. Full details here.
Our Economic Security Center Can Help You — And It's Free
Are You Struggling to:
- Buy Groceries for your Family
- Pay your Gas, Electric and/or Oil Bill
- Find Affordable Health Care for Your Kids
- Pay High Cost Tax Preparation Fees
Our Economic Security Center provides free, confidential benefits counseling to help individuals and families get information on public programs for which they qualify. These include food stamps, health insurance, heating and utility bill assistance and more. We also provide free tax preparation to help individuals and families file their forms and claim tax refunds from the federal and state government.
Our goal is to increase your economic security by helping you understand how to get public benefits, tax credits and other essential services to which you are entitled. These programs provide a cushion against everyday setbacks — a sick child, car trouble, temporary job loss — that can become catastrophes in your life.
Call Us at 973-643-8800 x239
744 Broad Street, Suite 2080
Newark, NJ 07102
Map and Directions
HOURS: Monday through Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM by appointment only. Photo ID required to enter the facility.
Download and distribute the flyer — Thank you!
Founding Sponsor and Supporters
Bank of America
Capital One Bank
Citigroup
Internal Revenue Service
Investors Savings Bank
JPMorgan Chase
PNC Bank
Provident Bank of New Jersey
Schumann Fund for New Jersey
TD Bank
Victoria Foundation
Wells Fargo
Main Street Alliance
The NJ Main Street Alliance (NJMSA) is a coalition of over 1400 small business owners and sole-proprietors throughout the state who are working to create opportunities to speak for themselves on important policy issues. The NJMSA, is a project of NJ Citizen Action and a member of the National Main Street Alliance, a network of small business coalitions in 15 states with over 10,000 members nationwide. Since its inception in August 2008, this coalition has successfully influenced the federal policy debate over health care reform and is now expanding to have a voice on issues such as financial reform, responsible taxes, clean energy, job creation, and economic recovery.
For more information, please contact: Corinne Horowitz at 732-246-4772 x25 or corinne@njcitizenaction.org.
NEW! Read the New Jersey Main Street Alliance Blog for more information about issues, research, and the latest developments!
Financial Reform Summit 2011: What's Next? Opportunities and Challenges
Thank you for attending the Financial Reform Summit on November 30, 2011 and making it such a great success! Special thanks to the panelists and everyone who participated in the conference, including consumer advocates, community leaders, elected officials, bankers, regulators, labor leaders, seniors, academics, students and members of the public.
Speakers discussed the developments financial reform in New Jersey since the enactment of Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, its impact on consumers, investors and small business owners. State and national reform experts also discussed the foreclosure crisis, the efficacy of state and national programs meant sole it, as well as alternative approaches that seem to be having a positive impact and how they can help homeowners in New Jersey.
Small Business Owners Celebrate 1st Anniversary of Affordable Care Act
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| NJMSA Advisory Council member Samia Bahsoun (speaking) with Congressman Frank Pallone (center) and NJ Citizen Action Central Jersey Organizer Adam Sherman. |
In Long Branch, NJMSA Advisory Council member Samia Bahsoun spoke at a press conference alongside Congressman Frank Pallone to share her story of how the ACA is helping her business and her family. Meanwhile in South Orange, small business owners and consumer advocates gathered at the South Orange Frame shop owned by MSA member Chris Bobbins to share their personal stories and hear comments from the National Director of the Office of Insurance Exchanges for Department of Health and Human Services, Joel Ario, and SBA Regional Administrator John Shoraka. For full details, read the Press Release.
How has the Affordable Care Act impacted your business or family? Share your story here.
In the News
- "The Affordable Care Act: One Year Later" (NJ Spotlight — April 1, 2011)
- "Health Care Reform: One Year Later" (The Root — March 23, 2011)
- "Health Care Reform On Its First Anniversary" (WBAI Evening News — March 22, 2011 AUDIO NEWS INTERVIEW)
- "Small Business Health Care Birthday Event in New Jersey" (My9 WWOR TV — March 23, 2011 VIDEO NEWS INTERVIEW)
New Report Demonstrates How the Affordable Care Act Will Benefit NJ's Working Families
On March 17, 2011 NJ Citizen Action Education Fund and NJ for Health Care released a new report by New Jersey Policy Perspective, analyzing the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on New Jersey's struggling working families.
The Report (click here)—"Good Medicine: The Impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on New Jersey's Working Families with Children" — identifies specific benefits of the ACA and makes recommendations about how New Jersey can maximize its benefit under the new law. Details here.
Rally Celebrates & Informs: 6-Month Anniversary of Affordable Care Act
On September 23, 2010, NJ Citizen Action, NJ for Health Care, NJPIRG Student Chapters, and the NJ Main Street Alliance hosted a rally, at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, to celebrate the new benefits of the Affordable Care Act, and help to educate our peers about the new law. It is now six months old and several new provisions officially take effect.
The "R U Insured?" Rally brought together students, health care advocates, small business owners, and seniors to celebrate the Affordable Care Act's six-month anniversary. The focus of the event was on what health care reform means for each of us, and to help spread the word. People shared first-hand stories about how they are benefiting from the new law. Participants also distributed healthcare-themed zines and a new report on the health benefits for young adults to students and faculty.
- News Coverage: "Rally At 6-Month Anniversary Of Health Care Law" (WBAI Evening News — September 23, 2010 AUDIO NEWS INTERVIEW), "Six-Month Anniversary Of U.S. Health Care Law Ushers In New Benefits" (Star-Ledger — September 23, 2010), "Students Celebrate Health Care Legislation" (Daily Targum — September 23, 2010).
Citizen Action's New Consumer Health Helpline!
GOT HEALTHCARE QUESTIONS?
Call Us Toll Free at
1-888-NJ GET WELL (1-888-654-3893)
- How Will My Family Get Health Insurance?
- Will My Coverage be Adequate?
- Will I be Able to Afford Coverage?
- How do I Use the Coverage Once I am Enrolled?
- How will the New Federal Health Reform Law Help Me and My Family?
The NJ Consumer Health Helpline is a Free Health Care Consumer Assistance Program working to ensure that consumers are able to access affordable, quality health care and effectively navigate the often complex health insurance system. The Helpline also provides vital information to policy makers by identifying and addressing health care related problems as they occur in real time in our communities.
Our Helpline Counselors are trained and have up-to-date information about healthcare coverage in New Jersey, where to go if you have a problem with your insurance company and how to access other health related programs. NJCA is an independent, statewide education and advocacy organization. We are not a government agency. We work to ensure that all New Jersey residents have access to high quality and affordable health care.
For more information contact Yarrow Willman-Cole at yarrow@njcitizenaction.org. Download this program's flyer in English or flyer in Spanish. Funding for the New Jersey for Health Care Consumer Helpline Project was provided by the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey. Like the Health Helpline on Facebook!
Renewal of PNC's Three-Year Community Reinvestment Commitment to New Jersey
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| L to R: Diane Sterner, executive director of the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey; Phyllis Salowe-Kaye, executive director of New Jersey Citizen Action Education Fund; William Best, senior vice president for PNC. |
On August 31, 2010, New Jersey Citizen Action, the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey, and PNC formally signed PNC's three-year Community Reinvestment Agreement for almost $1 billion.
In renewing their commitment to the people of New Jersey by signing this three-year agreement, PNC is extending its pledge to lend and invest in low- and moderate-income communities, to individuals, and to small businesses owned by women and minorities. PNC will offer below market rate mortgages with low down payment requirements, no points and no PMI for low- and moderate-income borrowers, grants for closing costs, and grants and loans for residents with disabilities.
This agreement will also provide refinance loans, consumer loans, and capital for low-income and moderate- income business owners. PNC has also made a major commitment to New Jersey's community development nonprofits. PNC has agreed to provide products including loans for site acquisition and construction financing, lines of credit for rehab and resale, and permanent financing for affordable housing development. Non-residential real estate loans for construction and permanent financing will also be available to non-profit organizations.
In addition, PNC will continue to support local small business lending and is making a commitment to lend to businesses located in low- and moderate-income communities and to smaller businesses borrowing $100,000 or less.
- News Coverage: "PNC Pledges More Than $900 Million In Community Reinvestment" (The Record / NorthJersey.com — September 1, 2010), "PNC Bank Renews Mortgage-Lending Commitment To Low And Moderate Income" (NJBIZ — August 31, 2010).
What Next? Making Health Care Work for New Jersey
A Statewide Health Care Implementation Conference
Thank you for attending the Health Care Implementation Conference on June 8, 2010 and making it a huge success! Special thanks to Community Catalyst, all the panelists, our planning committee, and all the conference participants — your breadth of knowledge, diversity, thoughtful questions, and feedback made this a truly dynamic and substantive event.
Now that we have set the stage for implementation in our state, it is time to roll up our sleeves and get the work done. Please join us in taking the next steps to support implementation by joining our NJ for Health Care Coalition. With your help we can ensure that our state maximizes the benefits available to us through the federal health reform law. Please sign on to the NJ for Health Care coalition to get more involved.
Click here to see all Materials from Conference.
The Cost of Failure to Enact Health Reform: 2010 – 2020
This new report shows that the cost of failure to enact national health care reform would be high, especially for middle-class families. Under the worst-case scenario, failure to pass national reform would result in:
- The number of uninsured Americans increasing from 49.4 million in 2010 to 59.7 million in 2015 and 67.6 million in 2020.
- A larger share of the uninsured coming from middle- and higher-income families.
- Premiums becoming increasingly expensive for employers and their workers.
- Offers of coverage falling significantly for workers in small and medium firms.
- Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance (CHIP) enrollment and costs increasing substantially.
- Employers seeing large increases in premium costs.
- Uncompensated care costs more than doubling.
- Health care costs paid directly by families increasing significantly.
Resources
- Full Report.
- NJCAEF's Press Statement.
- Cost of Failure Uninsured Fact Sheet.
- Cost of Failure CHIP Fact Sheet.
- Cost of Failure Employer Fact Sheet.
- Cost of Failure Uncompensated Care Fact Sheet.
NJ Policy Perspective Report — What National Health Reform Means for New Jersey
On February 24, 2010, the NJ Consumer Voices for Coverage (CVC) Leadership Team released a new report by Ray Castro, Senior Policy Analyst at NJ Policy Perspective, analyzing the impact of national health care reform on New Jersey. NJ CVC was joined by Congressman Rush Holt (NJ-12) in explaining the benefits of comprehensive national health reform including expanded coverage, improved quality, and lower health care costs for New Jersey residents.
The Report looks at key provisions of the House and Senate health care bills and President Obama's health reform proposal released on Monday, February 22nd and recommends which elements of each proposal best serve the Garden State.
- Read the Report: "Estimated Impact of Health Reform Bills Passed by the House and Senate on New Jersey."
- Summary of the Report.
- Press Release.
- List of Press Conference Speakers.
- Statement of Eve Weissman, NJ Citizen Action Education Fund.
- Dr. Jeffrey Brenner, MD, Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers.
- Kelly Conklin, NJ Main Street Alliance.
Free Tax Preparation Service
If you earned $50,270 or less in 2012, the IRS may owe you up to $5,891
NJCA will Provide:
- Specially trained and IRS-certified tax preparers
- Timely refunds with e-filing
- Direct Deposit
- All services are provided in English and Spanish
For details click here or...
Call Us at 1-888-829-3711
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Newark, NJ 07102
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Saturday 10am – 4pm
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