1. counseling agencies have worked with us for decades,
and we felt it was appropriate to salute their efforts
and honor those agencies providing the highest level
of customer service.”
PHFA works to provide affordable homeownership
and rental apartment options for older adults, lower-
and middle-income families, and people with special
housing needs. I
CCCS staff members display the “Best Agency Award,” presented
by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. Pictured are (from
left to right) Ryan Realpe, Liz Greenwood, Jeff Baldwin, Jamilah
Lawry and Stephanie Bittner.
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Delaware
Valley (CCCS) is extremely proud to have been
selected by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
(PHFA) as a recipient of the “Best Agency Award.”
Presented to only six private housing sector agencies
in the state, this award recognizes exemplary work in
providing vital services to residents with issues
regarding home ownership and foreclosure.
At a special awards ceremony in Harrisburg on
October 25, more than 160 housing counselors –
representing nearly 100 counseling agencies – gathered
for the presentation. In addition to the six agency
awards, PHFA recognized the contributions of six
individual housing counselors. Attendees were
acknowledged for their remarkable efforts during a
time when the housing marketplace is in a state of
dramatic change.
“The work of these
counseling agencies is
critical because we have
found that the best defense
against such factors as
predatory lending is a well-
informed housing
consumer,” stated Brian A.
Hudson, Sr., executive
director and chief
executive officer, PHFA.
“Many of these
This edition of the
Community Exchange
newsletter is sponsored
by PECO.
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency Honors CCCS with
“Best Agency Award”
We hope you will plan to join us at the Hyatt at
The Bellevue for our annual A Credit to Greater
Philadelphia Community Awards Luncheon on Friday,
March 25, 2011 at 12:00 noon. We are pleased to have Albert L. Lord,
Vice Chairman and CEO of Sallie Mae, as our keynote speaker.
Look for sponsor and event information in January.
Save the Date!

2. In 2010, CCCS was presented with a grant from the
Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Board of Standards,
launching a collaboration between CCCS and the
Philadelphia Tri-State Chapter of the Financial
Planning Association (FPA). Through this partnership,
the FPA’s Pro Bono Group is supporting the
FinanciallyHers program at CCCS through expanded
education and counseling.
The CFP grant funded two major “Women on the
Move” events in 2010, featuring educational
workshops that extend beyond the five core
workshops typically offered through the
FinanciallyHers program. Sixty-five women attended
our June event at the Hilton on City Line Avenue in
Philadelphia, where the focus was on estate planning
and saving for retirement. In October, 25 women
gathered at Community College of Philadelphia for
informative workshops about medical insurance and
tax returns. Attendees at both events were offered the
option to schedule a free, personalized counseling
session with a Certified Financial Planner.
“Our partnership with the FPA allows us to provide
additional resources and learning opportunities for the
women who participate in the FinanciallyHers program,
without CCCS recreating the wheel,” states Joy
McManus, program manager, FinanciallyHers. “The
CFPs have significant knowledge in so many areas –
from life insurance to student loans. In addition to the
expertise CCCS brings in budgeting and credit, the
CFPs can conduct a holistic review of a woman’s
finances. We fit together like a perfect puzzle.”
“CCCS is one of our most valued partners, as our
pro bono mission aligns so perfectly with the mission
and goals of CCCS,” says Sharon Bonnem, CFP, vice
president-elect, Pro Bono, FPA Philadelphia Tri-State
Area. “The events and the subsequent one-on-one
counseling sessions have been such a great experience
for our planners. In fact, our volunteers decided that
instead of the one-time counseling sessions outlined in
the grant agreement, they wanted to offer the women
follow-up sessions on a quarterly basis to assess their
progress and break through any roadblocks. They’re
really enthusiastic about this program.”
“The FPA’s local Pro Bono Group is phenomenal,”
adds Joy. “The CFPs all have busy and successful
practices with their own clients, but their real joy is
giving back and offering their services to the women
of FinanciallyHers.”
Both organizations hope to continue their
collaboration, and recently submitted a grant application
to the CFP Board of Standards to fund four major
events and continued one-on-one counseling in 2011. I
Pictured at the FinanciallyHers “Women on the Move” event
in June are (from left to right): Joy McManus, CCCS; Dave
Hoyer, director, Pro-Bono, FPA; Sheila Jacobs, FPA volunteer;
Danielle Rothberg, FPA volunteer; Sharon Bonnem, vice presi-
dent-elect, Pro Bono, FPA; Marsha Rubin, FPA volunteer; and
Kim Cooper, CCCS.
Celebrating FinanciallyHers
This spring, CCCS will host our third annual recognition event to honor the achievements of
the dedicated women who participate in FinanciallyHers, sponsored in part by Citi,
and to celebrate the success of the program – now 900 members strong.
Please contact Joy McManus at (215) 563-5665, ext. 3307, or send an e-mail to
financiallyhers@cccsdv.org for information regarding event sponsorship
and program partnership opportunities.
The Financial Planning Association Brings New Expertise to

3. 3
CCCS dedicates significant resources to
conducting financial education workshops,
covering a wide range of topics for a variety of
audiences. We’re proud to report that as of
October 31, 2010, CCCS has conducted 412
workshops, reaching 5,912 individuals.
emergency funds and investments to take care of his
family. As we went around the room, a common theme
emerged. No one had filed for bankruptcy because of
financial mismanagement. These were smart, financially-
savvy, hard-working people who were primarily the
victims of an economic downturn they could not see coming.
When people file for bankruptcy, it’s not uncommon
for them to feel a sense of failure. Since society tends to
judge our success or failure by our financial standing, our
self-worth can decrease when we find ourselves in
positions we did not choose. As the participants talked
about their lives before and after the bankruptcy filing,
the tension eased, and the atmosphere became more
relaxed. Smiles replaced stony stares, and conversation
was easier.
Being an educator gives me the chance to personally
connect with the audience and convey a sense of hope.
After sharing stories, we discussed the opportunities for a
fresh start that bankruptcy can bring. Several participants
talked about what they’re doing to move forward in their
lives. I stated, “Now that we know that no one has given
up on life, now that we know that everyone is hopeful
that things will get better, let’s talk about credit.”
I resumed teaching the material from the three-hour
course, which covers the basics of Budgeting & Money
Management, Savings & Investments, Credit & Lending,
Credit Reports, Insurance, and Avoiding Predatory Loans.
The Certificate of Completion, which attendees receive
after the workshop, fulfills the mandatory education
requirement for bankruptcy discharge.
The workshop ended on a high note; participants were
laughing, hugging, and exchanging contact information. I
The Human Side
of Bankruptcy
A Perspective by Florence Cheek, Education Program Manager, CCCS
As education program
manager, one of the
workshops I conduct is
Personal Financial Management after Bankruptcy.
Bankruptcy is a life-changing event. I see firsthand how it
affects people of all ages, races, and income levels.
One source describes bankruptcy as the process by
which consumers can eliminate or repay some or all of
their debts under the protection of the federal bankruptcy
court. However, no definition can explain the emotional
and psychological factors that can affect a person who has
been through or is currently going through the process.
At one recent session, I was having some difficulty
engaging the audience. Trying to involve the group, I
directed my attention to a woman who looked as though
she had something to say.
“Everything you’re saying makes sense, and we know
that you have a job to do,” she began, “but I’m not here
because I gambled away my money in Atlantic City. I was
working at the same job for over 20 years before I got
injured, and for the past two years, I’ve been fighting to
get my Worker’s Compensation benefits. Now I’m trying
desperately to save my home. I’ve written to the
president, my state representative, and everyone I know,
trying to bring attention to my case. I’m at the point now
where I have to choose between buying medication and
paying my utilities.”
The entire class nodded in agreement as they
identified with the speaker, and I quickly realized that I
needed to alter the flow of the workshop. The individuals
in the room were not cases with numbers, but people
whose lives were transformed by circumstances over
which they had no control.
Everyone had a story to share. A well-dressed baby
boomer told the group that she lost her job and her
husband in the same year. Now, she’s looking after her
mother and son, who has a disability, while working part
time. She had been on several interviews and was not
optimistic that she would find a job comparable to the one
she had lost. One man informed us that he was earning
six figures before he was laid off; he was forced to use his
Making the Connection
Life Goes On
Kudos!... CCCS congratulates our partner, the J. Lewis Crozer Library in Chester, Pennsylvania, for earning AARP’s 2010
Award for Library Services for Older Adults. The library has hosted a series of financial education workshops for seniors on such topics
as social security, savings, budgeting and credit, with future workshops planned to address money management, loans, and identity theft
protection. CCCS is proud to partner with the J. Lewis Crozer Library in this successful endeavor.

4. present an overview of CCCS
services to a group of 30 counselors,
representing 30 senior centers
throughout the city. At the October
presentation, the counselors were
especially interested in reverse
mortgages. They receive countless
questions from their clients regarding
this particular subject. CCCS hopes
to work directly with these clients to
address reverse mortgages and other
financial matters, and we are
collaborating with the PCA to
establish contact with those in need
of guidance.
Senior Advisory Committee
In July, Kathleen visited with the
Montgomery Township Senior
Advisory Committee, representing
more than 2,000 seniors, to provide
an overview of our services.
Kathleen returned in November to
present to the general membership a
newly created workshop about
budgeting for the holidays. CCCS
will present a second workshop to
this seniors group in 2011.
The group invited CCCS to one of
its monthly meetings to impart
educational information that the
volunteers could then share on their
companion visits and, of course,
utilize for their own benefit. In July,
Kathleen presented a budgeting
workshop to an extremely receptive
group of 60 senior companions.
“I was more than surprised by the
dedication of this group,” says
Kathleen. “Some came on walkers.
Some traveled by SEPTA; others
drove. They are deeply committed
to their volunteerism. It’s an
extraordinary initiative, and I was
proud to be a part of it.”
CCCS has since scheduled three
workshops for the Philadelphia
Senior Companions program, and is
exploring relationships with senior
volunteer groups in other counties
where workshops can be presented.
Educating Senior Center Counselors
Kathleen also received an
invitation from the Philadelphia
Corporation for Aging (PCA) to
Kathleen Bryson, seniors program
manager at CCCS, has been visiting
several unique settings to share
knowledge and information with
organizations that interact directly
with the senior population. These
outreach initiatives have received
tremendous feedback, and CCCS
looks forward to identifying similar
opportunities in 2011.
Forum Reaches Service Providers
In June, CCCS hosted our first-
ever forum for community partner
organizations providing services to
the senior population. The
networking and educational event
brought together 30 service providers
from across Philadelphia and
Delaware counties to discuss and
share information and resources
specific to seniors. Planning is under
way for three forums in 2011,
targeting additional counties in
Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Seniors Helping Seniors
In Montgomery County, a group
of active seniors has dedicated
themselves to helping other seniors
in need. Each volunteer commits at
least 20 hours a week to the county’s
Senior Companions program,
serving as a companion to home-
bound seniors, making their day a
little brighter, assisting them as best
they can, and helping them to remain
safe and independent in their homes.
In June, CCCS held its inaugural forum for organizations and individuals providing
services to the senior population. Three similar forums are planned for 2011.
Older adults face a unique set of financial challenges –
from fixed incomes to rising healthcare costs to financial
predators. In addition to our one-on-one counseling
services, CCCS offers six core workshops to equip seniors
with the tools they need to better understand and manage
Financial Smarts for Seniors
Reaching New Audiences
Addressing the Unique Needs of Seniors
their own finances, make informed decisions, and live
independently and safely. Workshops include:
N Money Management N Understanding Credit
N ID Theft & Scams N Loan Smarts
N Credit Reports N Reverse Mortgage
To learn more about Financial Smarts for Seniors, including event sponsorship and partnership opportunities,
please contact Kathleen Bryson at (215) 280-2703 or kbryson@cccsdv.org. I

5. CCCS and Beneficial Bank marked National Protect
Your Identity Week (PYIW), which occurred October 17 to
23, with a day of activities designed to help consumers
understand and protect themselves against identity theft.
Members of the community were invited to visit CCCS
partner organization Beneficial Bank at its Cherry Hill,
New Jersey, campus to collect educational materials,
participate in workshops, and talk with experts in identity
theft protection. Special workshops were held for both the
Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America.
National PYIW partner Cintas Corporation was onsite
with its Mobile Shredding Unit, inviting consumers to
drop off their unwanted personal financial documents for
secure shredding. A total of 3,200 pounds of paper was
shredded at the Cherry Hill event alone. Cintas submitted
the nationwide initiative, which included more than 175
shredder events occurring across the U.S., to the Guinness
Book of World Records for the most paper shredded in a
24-hour period.
“Throwing outdated, yet intact, financial documents in
the trash can easily result in identity theft,” explains Patty
Hasson, president and executive director, CCCS. “We
want people to be proactive in taking the necessary steps
to protect their financial futures. Partnering with
5
CCCS Helps Safeguard Against Identity Theft at
“Shredder” Event
Gathered at the Protect Your Identity Week event at the Beneficial Bank
campus in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, are (from left to right): Bob Juliano,
Beneficial Bank; Esmeralda Cabrera, CCCS; Kevin Brady, Cintas; Hope Katz,
CCCS; and Stephanie Bittner, CCCS.
CCCS joined forces with the New Jersey Association of
REALTORS (NJAR) to deliver two information-rich
webinars in 2010. The first – a 60-minute, live session
focusing on mortgage foreclosure – was created by CCCS
for NJAR’s members. The second – a 90-minute webinar
for the general public – was developed to help New Jersey
residents save their homes.
“Today, consumers really need to educate themselves
when it comes to homeownership,” says Stephanie Bittner,
community outreach manager, CCCS. “Unfortunately,
we’ve seen what happens when there is not enough
knowledge and understanding in the marketplace.”
The consumer webinar, held in October and now
available on the CCCS website, reviews federal, state and
local programs; provides guidance for managing the
mortgage delinquency process; and reveals common
mistakes made by homeowners. Members of the
community can access the webinar by visiting the home
page of our website at www.cccsdv.org, and clicking on
“Free Webinar: Afraid of Losing Your Home?” in the
“Popular Resources” section.
“We’re so pleased to be working with NJAR,” says
Stephanie. “We have a lot of information and insights we
can share with their members – information they can then
share with clients. On the flip side, the realtors can refer
potential buyers to CCCS for pre-purchase counseling.
Most importantly, we’ve been able to reach out to a greater
number of consumers who are in immediate need of
foreclosure prevention and mortgage default counseling.
It’s a win-win partnership, and we hope it continues to
expand in new ways moving forward.”
Through this collaboration, CCCS has developed an
article regarding the importance of credit in
homeownership for an upcoming edition of NJAR’s
magazine, and is exploring the opportunity to conduct a
series of educational workshops with NJAR in 2011. I
Collaboration with NJ Association of REALTORS
Takes Learning to the Web
Beneficial Bank and Cintas Corporation for this event
provided an outstanding opportunity to bring CCCS
education and counseling services directly to the
community, and we’re thrilled that area residents came out
in such significant numbers.” I

6. Financial Education: Making a Lasting Impression
CCCS Seniors Education Program Manager Kathleen Bryson enjoyed a wonderful
surprise recently when she received an e-mail message from a CCCS partner she
hadn’t corresponded with in several years. From 2004 to 2006, Kathleen had
collaborated with Mansura Karim, then an assistant program coordinator in
Workforce Development with the Center for Social Policy and Community
Development at Temple University, to deliver more than a dozen women’s welfare to
work seminars. Apparently, Mansura was listening along carefully with the
audience, which was comprised of women participating in Temple’s Working to
Unite Families program. In her e-mail to Kathleen, Mansura writes:
“I want to thank you again for all of the workshops you presented to our classes at Temple.
I thought you would be happy to know that I listened and took notes and benefited from your
knowledge. It took me a little time to grab onto the message, but I finally stopped spending
and paid off all of my credit cards a few years ago, and now sleep much better. The hardest
part was to stop spending. Who knew? Once you get the hang of paying off your bill
monthly, it becomes a new habit. And once you do that, you can’t go back to the old ways.”
Says Kathleen, “This certainly drives home the point that the message CCCS is
sending applies to everyone! Thank you, Mansura, for your wonderful note!” I
CCCS Growth
Continues
As the challenges of the current economy continue to mount, so too does the need
for the critical services provided by CCCS. Most indicative is the increasing number of
one-on-one sessions conducted by CCCS counselors. In 2008, CCCS provided 17,000
sessions, and in 2009, that number increased to 23,000. In 2010, the organization
expects to deliver close to 30,000 individual sessions to consumers in need of financial
guidance and support.
“We’re in unchartered territory,” reports Jeff Baldwin, counseling director, CCCS.
“This year, we’re averaging 2,300 sessions each month. In August, we saw our busiest
month in the history of CCCS; we conducted 2,847 individual counseling sessions in
that month alone.”
Jeff attributes the growing need for CCCS services to the ongoing issues plaguing
the housing market. “We’ve seen a significant uptick in housing counseling given the
foreclosure crisis, and with the unemployment rate still hovering close to 10 percent,
more and more homeowners are feeling the strain,” explains Jeff. “Approximately 62
percent of our one-on-one sessions are housing-related.”
To meet the demand, CCCS hired four new counselors in 2010, and intensified our
presence in the counties we serve throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern
New Jersey. In May, we opened the doors to a new office in Burlington County at
United Way in Rancocas, New Jersey. And in November, we opened a CCCS site in
Colmar, Pennsylvania, in Montgomery County at the office of Carson Valley Children’s
Aid (pictured above). Our existing office in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, expanded its
operating hours from one day a week to five days.
“We continue to take a good, hard look at where our services are most needed, and
what makes the most sense in terms of expansion,” says Jeff. “The housing crisis
certainly has prompted us to build our presence in critical areas of need, but most
importantly, CCCS remains focused on our core, overall objectives – helping people
manage their debt and balance their budgets.” I
6
The Bank
Bank of America
Bank of America Charitable Foundation
Beneficial Bank
Boeing Company
Boeing Employees Community Fund
Brook J. Lenfest Foundation
Certified Financial Planner Board of
Standards
Charming Shoppes
Chase Card Services
Chester County Community Foundation
Chester County Department of
Community Development
Citi Cards
Citi Foundation
Citizens Bank
Conestoga Bank
Council for Economic Education
Delaware County
Ethel Sergeant Clark Smith Memorial Fund
Fox Chase Bank
Goldberg McKeever
Haddon Savings Bank
HSBC
HSBC Women’s Forum
Leo Niessen Jr. Charitable Trust
Lincoln Financial Foundation
M&T Foundation
New Jersey Coalition for Financial Education
New Jersey Department of State,
Office of Faith Based Initiatives
OMG Center for Collaborative Learning
PECO
The Pew Charitable Trusts
The Philadelphia Foundation
PNC Bank
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Radian Guaranty Inc.
RCH-MS, Inc.
Sovereign Bank
St Joseph’s University
State Farm
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young
Susquehanna Bank
TD Charitable Foundation
TD Charitable Foundation – Nonprofit
Training Resource Fund
United Way of Chester County
United Way of Salem County
United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania
Wachovia Foundation
CCCS extends our deepest gratitude to
the businesses and foundations that
have supported our work between
January 1 and October 31 of this year.
It is your commitment that allows us
to make a difference in the lives of
people across the Delaware Valley.
Thank You
to Our Funders

7. Managing the Changing Times
appliances, and heating and air conditioning
(HVAC) equipment.
PECO Smart Appliance Recycling – PECO will
pick up your old, working refrigerator or freezer
for free, recycle it, and pay you $35. And, while
we’re there, we’ll pick up an old working window
air conditioner and pay you $25.
PECO Smart A/C Saver – Make your air
conditioner work for you! PECO will pay you up
to $120 a year ($30 a month from June through
September) to remotely manage your central air
conditioning system. By enrolling, you can save
money and reduce your demand for electricity.
To learn more “Smart Ideas,” visit
www.peco.com/SmartIdeas or call 888-5-PECO SAVE
(1-888-573-2672).
As part of Pennsylvania Electric Choice, you also
can shop for electricity from a competitive electric
generation supplier, potentially saving you money.
And, whether you are purchasing your electricity from
a competitive electric generation supplier or from
PECO, PECO will continue to safely deliver electricity,
provide billing and customer support, and respond to
outages and other emergencies for all customers. To
learn more about shopping for electricity, visit the
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s website at
www.papowerswitch.com.
PECO is committed to helping you understand the
changes that are about to occur, and to offering the
information and resources you need to make the best
possible energy choices for your family and business.
To learn more about these changes, visit
www.pecoanswers.com. I
Beginning January 1, 2011, the prices PECO and its
customers pay for electricity will be based on electric
market pricing, after having been capped for more
than 10 years. At the same time, costs to operate
PECO’s electric and natural gas systems also have
been increasing. Gas and electricity will cost
customers more.
The effect of all of these changes on PECO electric
customers will be price increases of about five percent.
For the typical residential electric customer, the
increase is about $5 per month.
Costs for PECO’s natural gas customers are
expected to increase about eight percent. For the
typical residential natural gas customer, the increase is
less than $8 per month.
PECO knows they have an obligation to help
customers manage this change. Customers can offset
much of the increase by finding ways to use less
energy. Using less energy will save you money and
help the environment.
PECO has many useful energy-saving products
and programs to help save money in every home and
business. Following are some of the ways you can
reduce energy costs now and in the future:
PECO Smart Home E-Audit – Learning how you
use energy is the first step in using less. Complete
an online audit of your home energy use and
receive a detailed report of no- and low-cost home
improvements that save energy and money.
PECO Smart Lighting Discounts – Get a new
twist on lighting. More than 700 stores sell PECO
discounted CFL light bulbs. These bulbs use up to
75 percent less energy and last about 10 times
longer than traditional light bulbs.
PECO Smart Home Rebates – Need to replace
that old, energy-guzzling appliance? Get money-
saving rebates on ENERGY STAR qualified
7
A Special Thank You
CCCS extends our sincerest gratitude to PECO for graciously underwriting
the Winter 2010–2011 edition of the Community Exchange newsletter.
Useful Energy and Cost-Saving Tips from

8. Consumer Credit
Counseling Service
of Delaware Valley
1608 WALNUT STREET • 10TH FLOOR
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103
ACCREDITED
COUNCIL ON ACCREDITATION
OF SERVICES FOR FAMILIES
AND CHILDREN, INC.
MEMBER
Eastern Pennsylvania
H U D
A p p ro v e d
A g e n c y
MAIN OFFICE: 1608 WALNUT ST.
10TH FLOOR
PHILA., PA 19103
TELEPHONE: (800) 989-CCCS
(215) 563-5665
WEBSITE: www.cccsdv.org
E-MAIL: marketing@cccsdv.org
SOCIAL MEDIA:
PA Locations: Blue Bell
Bristol
Chester
Coatesville
Colmar
Jenkintown
Media
Norristown
Phila. - Center City
Phila. - North
Phila. - North Broad
Phila. - Northeast
Springfield
West Chester
NJ Locations: Camden
Cherry Hill
Rancocas
Salem
In August,
CCCS teamed up
with CBS 3 for a
special “3 On Your
Side” community
service initiative.
Representatives
from CCCS and
our partner,
Radian Guaranty
Inc., took to the
phone banks at the
CBS 3 studios in
Philadelphia for “Save Your Home,” providing crucial direction to
callers facing mortgage foreclosure.
For two-and-a-half hours, phone bank representatives fielded more
than 750 calls, advising consumers about loan modification options,
and referring many callers directly to CCCS for more extensive one-on-
one counseling. Over 100 individuals met one-on-one with counselors
as a direct result of this initiative.
Several live interviews with CCCS President and Executive Director
Patty Hasson and Counseling Director Jeff Baldwin on CBS 3 and its
sister station, the CW, promoted the “Save Your Home” Phone Bank
and the numerous services offered by CCCS.
We applaud CBS 3 for their commitment to the community, and for
offering CCCS such a strong forum to reach a greater number of
Delaware Valley residents in need of professional guidance. I
Consumer Credit
Counseling Service
of Delaware Valley
CCCS Goes “On Call” with CBS 3
Representatives from CCCS and Radian fielded more than
750 calls during the CBS 3 “Save Your Home” Phone Bank.
Connect with CCCS