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Teen center offers financial seminars

Sonoma Valley Teen Services (SVTS) staff is partnering with local banks to offer free financial literacy seminars, which are part of the SVTS “Skills for Life” program.

Money management will be offered 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Valley of the Moon Teen Center located at 17440 Sonoma Highway.

Co-presenter Alfredo Pedroza, manager of the Redwood Credit Union, will discuss checking accounts, debit and credit cards, building and safeguarding credit history, identify theft prevention, budget creation and how to select the bank that serves one best.

Savings and loans will be discussed from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Saturday, Feb. 18, also at the Valley of the Moon Teen Center. Co-presenters Eric van Diest, a personal banker at Sonoma Bank; and Omar Barragan, a personal banker at U.S. Bank, will share information about savings accounts, bonds, and college savings plans. Loans for automobiles, college expenses and starting a small business will also be discussed.

Skills needed for financial careers will be discussed from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at Westamerica Bank, 202 W. Napa St., Sonoma. Co-presenters Paco Villasenor, vice president; and Lisa Deffenbaugh, personal banker, will offer a tour of the bank premises, discuss teller work (money handling and customer services), managing accounts and loans and other careers in banking and finance.

All classes are free to teens. Transportation, snacks, beverages, bank promotional items and certificates of completion will be provided.

Pre-registration is necessary as space is limited.

Register for one or all three courses by sending an email to classes@Svteens.org., leave a message on Facebook, or call 939-1452. Also visit the teen center website, www.svteens.org.

Other upcoming “Skills for Life” seminars are “Employee 101,” how to be an effective employee, from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11; and “Resumes and Interviews” from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18. Both classes will be at the Valley of the Moon Teen Center. Certificates of completion will be awarded. Contact SVTS to register.