Prepare for the Future – event equips families with tools to protect generational wealth and plan ahead
On Sunday, March 15th, Mt. Pisgah Church Chicago, 4622 South King Drive, hosted its first Estate and Financial Planning Wellness Seminar—an important and informative community event focused on helping individuals and families prepare for the future with clarity and confidence.
Under the theme “Prepare for the Future,” the seminar addressed critical questions many families avoid: Have you made your wishes known? Does your family know what to do if something happens to you?
Deacon Steve Wilson opened the event with a powerful reminder: “Now is the time to get your affairs in order. Don’t wait until your loved one dies and you’re looking in a million places.”
Drawing from personal experience, Deacon Wilson emphasized the importance of preparation. “When my loved one passed, Joe in the back took care of me,” he shared, referencing one of the professionals present. “So share your policies and your questions with the professionals here today. Don’t leave your loved ones guessing. Today, we have people here who are available to steer you in the right direction.”
The seminar provided expert guidance across multiple critical areas of estate and financial planning:
- Wills & Trusts: Legal frameworks for distributing assets
- Life Insurance Planning: Protecting family financial security
- Grief Counseling: Emotional support during difficult times
- Pre-Planned Funerals & Burial Arrangements: Removing burden from grieving families
- Real Estate & Asset Transfers: Ensuring smooth property transitions
- Financial Literacy: Building knowledge for long-term stability
- Protecting Generational Wealth: Preserving family assets for future generations
The event brought together a diverse group of professionals offering their expertise:
- Dr. Chictowa Jones, 1st Response Crisis Counseling & Consulting
- Valerie Calahan, Calahan Funeral Services
- James Devine, Primerica Insurance
- Joe Holt, Holt Saldivar & Associates
- Ellen Deranian, Deranian Law Group LLC
- Kimberleigh Bailey, Transamerica
- Carolyn Whiteurst, Whiteurst Properties LLC
- Donna Rogers, Legacy Realty
- Theodore Jackson, PNC Bank
- Chioma Ozuruigbo, Mutual of Omaha
The event proved highly successful and informative, but it also highlighted a broader need within the community.
“I was invited to discuss inherited property and residential sales in our community. Inheriting property can overwhelm homeowners, leading to uncertainty about whether to keep or sell. Many families hesitate to address the property due to repairs, existing mortgages, or unfamiliarity with the necessary tasks,” explained Carolyn Whiteurst.
Such proactive planning would significantly reduce the reliance on “pass the hat” and GoFundMe campaigns that have become too common in our community when families face unexpected loss. By preparing today, families can have peace tomorrow—without the added stress of financial uncertainty during times of grief.
Kimberly Bailey, said, “I want to educate the members of Mt. Pisgah Church about the importance of having adequate life insurance for their loved ones. Many are unaware of its significance, and I’m dedicated to raising awareness in our community.”
Mt. Pisgah Church’s inaugural Estate and Financial Planning Wellness Seminar sets a powerful example of how faith communities can serve their members not just spiritually, but also practically, ensuring that families are equipped to protect their legacies and provide for future generations.
