MINDING OUR BUSINESS IN THE NEW YEAR & FINDING YOUR WAY TO FREEDOM!

Reshell Smith, CEO of AMES Financial Solutions, reminded us that starting off financially strong this New Year is still super important. Paying down debt is the best way to start - who do you need to pay, write it down and then pay in the right order. Since pension plans on jobs are becoming extinct, use your company's 401K plan - if they match 5% to yours 5%-= 10% growth that you can take out at the age of 59 ½ with no penalty. Save 3-6 months of living expenses and keep $1,000 as your emergency fund. Check your credit history at www.annualreport.com Connect with Reshell at www.amesfinancialsolutions.com 407/258-1062 State Attorney Monique Worrell of the 9th Judicial Circuit will join State Senator Bracy-Davis, Representative Young along with the Clerk of the Court, the Public Defender's Office, Orange County Sheriff's Office & FRRC for a Record Sealing and Expungement Workshop at Barnett Park 4801 W. Colonial Drive in Orlando, Wednesday January 7th 6pm. It is open to people in Orange and Osceola (the 9th Judicial Circuit). Pre-registration is encouraged so the State Attorney can pull your "rap sheet" in advance. However, you can still attend but may have to come to the courthouse to have records pulled. Who should attend? Anyone who has an adjudication (conviction) that has been withheld. Sealing and Expungement Defined: Applicable Laws: Expungement- Fl. St. 943.0585, Sealing- Fl. St. 943.059 Expungement means to remove from record, erase, destroy, and no public access to record. Agencies that have access to sealed records will need a court order to view expunged documents. Seal means no public access to the record. Only agencies listed in 943.059(4)(a) shall have access to the record. Once a case has been closed, the sealing/expungement process can begin. Sealing and expungements are available for adult and juvenile cases. However, not all cases are eligible to be sealed or expunged. The team will tell you if you're eligible, so even if you think you may be excluded, please still attend. Register on Facebook at the Office of the State Attorney Monique Worrell or https://forms.gle/aw2ZVhkZ2aPamKxKA Chenise Williams, founder of the African American Women's History Project shared the vision she had for the organization that began two decades ago. She wanted to celebrate African American women (and a few men) who were instrumental in shaping the foundation of our community. Since its inception, hundreds of women have been highlighted. The proceeds from the events provide scholarships and mentoring opportunities to graduating high school seniors. On Friday January 9th 50+ women will be honored in a private ceremony. "The Power of Her Presence" will open to the public on Saturday @ 12pm January 10th and be housed at the Girl Scouts building 341 N. Mills Avenue in Orlando in the Women's History & Cultural Center on the 2nd floor.