by Brent Hovey
Reporter
Aurora -- In cooperation with the Aurora senior citizens center, a local resident will offer a series of free financial workshops for seniors.
Michael Embrescia of Financial Network of America LTD in Twinsburg will begin the clinics in May and run them through October.
FNA specializes in estate financial planning. Embrescia said most of his clients are retirees, age 55 to 57, business owners or well-established.
Embrescia said he wants to bring a free, educational and informative lecture-type class to Aurora. He stressed he is not selling anything.
"It's going to be purely education," Embrescia said. "It's a benefit to come and hear the information."
Embrescia and FNA established a similar program in Solon, and he said it has been very successful. Those workshops started with 15 people attending. Now, as many as 50 show up monthly.
"We just want people to come in and listen," said Embrescia. "We give them facts on issues like estate planning, financial planning, Medicaid, Medicare. I invite speakers who are expects in each area."
Embrescia said the reason the Solon meetings are successful is the same reason he hopes the Aurora ones will be.
"WHAT I like about it is the people who come have their guard down," he said. "People don't want to be sold. If you're just giving them the facts, they listen. The goal is for them to participate."
Embrescia added there will be an opportunity for him or FNA to work with individuals privately, but only if they ask for help.
"If there's the right fit for them and us, then that's an option," he said. "But that's not the intention."
Embrescia has worked with city senior coordinator Patti Harrington to hammer out the details.
The workshops will take place on the second Tuesday of each month. There will be no session in August. If the program is successful, Embrescia said it will be continued.
Sessions will be at 2 p.m. in the senior activities area at the Walker Building on West Pioneer Trail and at 6:30 p.m. at the Aurora Library.
"First and foremost, we will discuss how not to outlive your income," said Embrescia.
Other topics include protecting assets, keeping up with inflation, taking control of what investments do, how to combat taxes, health care, legal planning and estate planning.
"I'm excited about this," Embrescia said. "I live in the city and I want to give back to the community."
E-mail: bhovey@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3115