The United Way and Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County have joined forces with the Ohio Treasurer's Office.  Sharing resources and offering programs on financial literacy and stability for families right here in the Valley.  Because, as State Treasurer Richard Cordray puts it-- knowledge is power.

"The more you know about how to handle your own finances, the more control you can exert over your life.", says Ohio State Treasurer Richard Cordray.

The Library was recently awarded a smart investing at your library grant to start its smart money initiative.  While the United Way teamed up with many local organizations to form the Mahoning County Financial Stability Partnership.  Leaders say pooling programs and resources was a no-brainer.  And the partnership is already working-- services such as free tax preparation have helped many people take advantage of the earned income tax credit.

"As a result of this work, nearly two million dollars came back into Mahoning County through savings from tax preparation, and through the benefits that came back through the tax refunds.", says Ginny Pasha, United Way Director of Community Investment.

And Cordray says starting two years from now-- financial education and awareness will start even earlier for Ohioans.

"They passed a bill that now provides that every high school student will be required to receive personal finance education before they graduate.", says Cordray.

Pasha says the partnership will help many struggling working families in the Valley-- by giving them the opportunities they need to succeed.  For more information, click on "links" and look for Smart Money.