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Farsi Financial Literacy Series

Session 1: Smart Budgeting, Banking & Self-Defense

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Welcome to the first session of our new Farsi-language Financial Literacy Workshop Series, organized by House of Friendship and sponsored by Ivy Community Service Foundation.
 

This session focused on practical skills for newcomers and families looking to better understand how to manage their finances and protect themselves both financially and even physically.

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Session 1 Highlights:
 

💰 Part 1 – Financial Literacy 

Led by Zerin Taj Alizadeh Ahi, social worker and educational consultant with years of migration-focused experience, this segment focused on the foundations of navigating the American financial system:

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- Understanding how U.S. banks work and the types of accounts available
- Learning to avoid high-interest loans and hidden fees
- Introduction to credit scores, credit history, and how to build a healthy financial reputation
- Smart and culturally informed budgeting tips for Farsi-speaking families
 

 

🥋 Part 2 –  Wing Tsun  and Self-Defense
Led by Hamarz Ghazi, this engaging in-person session introduced participants to Wing Tsun, a martial art focused on real-world self-defense.


With support from a fellow martial artist, Hamed, the following was demonstrated:

- Core principles of Wing Tsun
- The importance of self-defense and awareness
- How to recognize and respond to different confrontation scenarios
- The concept of center line and Wing Tsun’s signature guard stance
- A short interactive demonstration with practical takeaways

 

📅 Event Date: July 27, 2025
📍 Location: Hybrid Session (In-person & Online) – House of Friendship, Raleigh, NC


This program is proudly supported by Ivy Community Service Foundation.

Session 2: Savings & Consumer Protection

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This session built on the foundation from Session 1, introducing practical strategies for saving money, protecting against scams, and planning for the future — along with a wellness-focused segment on the health benefits of exercise.
 

Session 2 Highlights:

💰 Part 1 – Savings & Consumer Protection
Led by Zarrintaj Alizadeh Ahi (Zarrin), a social science specialist and educational counselor with a unique journey from Tehran to the U.S., this segment covered:

  • Building and maintaining an emergency fund

  • Smart saving strategies for short- and long-term goals

  • Introduction to safe investing options

  • Planning for retirement through 401(k) and IRA accounts

  • Recognizing and avoiding financial scams

  • Understanding your consumer rights in the U.S.
     

🧘‍♀️ Part 2 – Health Benefits of Exercise
Led by Shamim Shahabi, this in-person talk examined the positive effects of exercise — particularly through the lens of Pilates practice.

Participants learned about:

  • The physical and mental health benefits of regular movement

  • How Pilates improves posture, balance, and strength

  • Practical tips to incorporate exercise into daily life

     

  • 📅 Event Date: August 10, 2025
    📍 Location: Hybrid Session (In-person & Online) – House of Friendship, Raleigh, NC


  • This program is proudly supported by Ivy Community Service Foundation.

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