Dear Friend:

Thank you for reading another edition of my e-newsletter, the Carson Courier.  For additional information on these and other topics, please visit my website at http://www.carson.house.gov.

In this week’s Carson Courier:

• Unveiling One of Indy’s First Urban Solar Farms
• Discussing Financial Literacy with Our Young People
• Spending Time with Local Students

Unveiling One of Indy’s First Urban Solar Farms

I joined the Indianapolis Housing Authority (IHA), Indianapolis Power and Light (IPL), and Johnson Melloh Solutions this week for the unveiling of a brand new Urban Solar Farm at Laurelwood Apartments on Indy’s south side.

This remarkable facility utilizes over 4,000 square feet of solar panels to capture and convert energy into usable power.  IHA is able to sell the energy generated to IPL, creating a new revenue stream with which the organization can strengthen the surrounding community. The project was funded, in part, by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds. 

For many families throughout the 7^th District, energy costs are a significant financial burden. We need an all-in approach that promotes renewable resources alongside oil and coal. By increasing our energy profile, we not only step away from our dependence on foreign oil, we lower costs for Hoosier families.

The IHA Urban Solar Farm is a remarkable example of the Hoosier ingenuity and innovation that is leading the way for the rest of the country.

For more information on IHA’s Urban Solar Farm, click here.

Discussing Financial Literacy with Our Young People

A recent nationwide survey found that over half of the adults in America feel their own financial literacy skills are only fair or poor.  The lack of adequate financial education in our country is a serious concern, especially as young adults begin to take on new financial responsibilities like getting their first credit cards, managing their own finances and figuring out how to pay for college.  Because early financial decisions can have such a huge impact on one’s financial future, it is imperative that people make smart, well informed money management choices.

It was my honor this week to sit down with students at Kaleidoscope Youth Center to discuss financial literacy and answer questions on how they can live in great financial health.  Students asked thoughtful questions, ranging from how to create sound investment portfolios to best practices for monitoring interest rates. 

I also shared information regarding my bill, the Young Adults Financial Literacy Act.  My bill expands the resources available to young adults so that they can avoid financial pitfalls in the first place and learn how to get the help they need to restore their financial well-being.  The Young Adults Financial Literacy Act establishes a program in partnership with the Department of Treasury and the Department of Education that works with community organizations and schools to offer quality, research-based financial education programs to young adults, ages 15-24. My bill also provides the resources necessary to train teachers, develop effective curriculum, and design instructional materials.   

I encourage you to visit these helpful sites for more information on how to improve your own financial literacy:

• MyMoney.gov:   Click Here
• Ask the CFPB has a special section for students:  Click Here
• How Much Do You Know Quiz: Click Here
• Tools For Success on the Financial Literacy Month site: Click Here

Spending Time with Local Students

I also had the distinct privilege of visiting Indiana Math and Science Academy West this week to read to kindergartners in Ms. Laura Nelson’s class.  Ms. Nelson’s students are completing the incredible task of reading 5,000 books in just 100 school days.  I was happy to share one of my favorite children’s books with the students.

Following my time with the kindergartners, I stopped by to visit a group of high schoolers as well.  IMSA West is doing great work in our community, and I am so proud of their first graduating class, all of whom have been accepted to college.  We wish them the best as they begin the next chapter of their educational journey.

Thank you for reading the Carson Courier.  Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts and concerns. For more information, visit my website at http://www.carson.house.gov, my Congressional Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/CongressmanAndreCarsonand follow me on Twitter @RepAndreCarson.  I value your views and your input, which help me better represent the people of Indiana’s 7^th District.

Sincerely,

André Carson
Member of Congress