Having poor credit or no credit history at all can have ripple effects for a person who is already in a precarious financial situation. A person's credit history tells a story to lenders, landlords, and service providers; therefore, a poor credit history can make it difficult to find affordable housing, buy a home, or even procure common goods and services such as a cellphone, furniture, or car insurance. 

Sarah Norman, Director of Healthy Homes & Communities, NeighborWorks America
Leah Ettman, Senior Associate of Health & Wellness, National League of Cities

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" This quote is often associated with the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service — the only federal holiday designed specifically to encourage Americans to volunteer in their communities.

It was the first day of the kickoff of four new “learning communities” for network members organized by NeighborWorks America. The opening ice breaker asked each participant to share something that 1) he or she knows and 2) would like to learn.