Treasurer Sprague Announces Third Quarter Compass Award Honorees

COLUMBUS – Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague has announced Compass Award honorees for the third quarter of 2023. The quarterly recognition program commends organizations, programs, and individuals across the state who are working to guide Ohioans toward financial literacy and empowerment.

“Across the Buckeye State, there are organizations and individuals committed to ensuring Ohioans are equipped with the financial acumen and know-how to succeed wherever life takes them,” said Treasurer Sprague. “Cincinnati Works and the Lakewood Area Collaborative are shining examples of this commitment, and the efforts of both organizations are making a genuine impact on the lives of the people they serve. In honoring them with the Compass Award, we recognize the important work they are doing in their communities to empower area residents through financial literacy education.”

Third Quarter Compass Award honorees include:

Cincinnati Works (Hamilton County)

Too often, a lack of personal financial knowledge creates stress in a worker’s life. That stress can lead to a variety of issues that inhibit professional growth and lead to higher turnover rates for employers.

Since the 1990s, Cincinnati Works has been committed to building a stronger workforce and helping area workers succeed. Partnering with a variety of employers, the organization assists workers in strengthening soft skills and building financial acumen to gain valuable career experience. 

Cincinnati Works provides individualized education on a series of personal finance topics and addresses behavioral challenges that arise in the workplace. Financial coaching and money management education are key components of this effort, helping participants reach a greater level of stability. By taking such a holistic approach, the organization is positioning workers to thrive in the workplace on a long-term basis.

Lakewood Area Collaborative (Cuyahoga County)

The Lakewood Area Collaborative empowers area residents by providing a series of wraparound services and supports to help area households reach greater stability. To better support their clients, the organization also includes personal finance education as part of its efforts.

This spring, the Collaborative facilitated the Financial Literacy Seminar Series that provided community members with free programming around topics such as banking, employment, credit, debt, housing, auto loans, identity theft, and scams. Additionally, after learning that many people were unaware of common best practices to protect their confidential information and documents, the organization provided participants with fireproof safes to store personal documents.

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