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Many people run when it comes to math, but Patricia Davis of Mitchellville enjoys it— so much so that she is helping others in Maryland and Washington, D.C., understand their personal finances using lessons from her childhood and a free financial literacy program.

"I want to help others who didn't have the teachings of a mother of five that was determined to make it [financially]," Davis said. "We grew up with allowances from my mom. When we ran out of money, we were out of money. I learned something."

When Davis and husband, Jim, married more than 40 years ago, they saved $10 each week.

"People think you don't need to save little bits of money," Davis said.

In 2003, Davis left her position as senior vice president of operations at M&T Bank to start her own business, Davis Financial Services. She offers financial literacy programs, financial advisory services or counseling and financial referral services.

In June, the Society for Financial Education and Professional Development, a nonprofit organization based in Arlington, Va., was selected for a grant from GMAC Financial Services, a nonprofit Detroit-based financial service company.

SFEPD contacted Davis that same month about teaching the modules in the GMAC Financial Services program SmartEdge, instruction that is funded by the grant.

"They reached out to people they know to do a financial education program," she said.

She has taught more than 35 GMAC courses on credit, budgeting, automotive financing, mortgages, banking and insurance to local organizations such as churches, civic groups and non-profits.

Davis contacted Largo Community Church in Mitchellville to gauge interest in the GMAC Financial Services program, and in July she began teaching the seven-week program.

Sherri and Reginald Washington of Mitchellville are parishioners at Largo Community Church and are two of the 40 people who participated in the program.

"[Davis] was very informative, on point and thorough," Sherri Washington said. "For me, the class was a refresher. I wanted to look at my budget and see what I can cut back on. I have a home, so I wasn't concerned on the home front. I wanted to know the difference – financially – between owning and leasing a vehicle and see which one is more cost effective."

Overall, she found the program to be helpful and great for people in any financial situation.

"If you don't know where to start, start here," Sherri Washington said. "It's a reference for where to get help."

In June, Davis contacted Arbor Education and Training, a workforce development company in Largo, about offering the GMAC program. Arbor focuses on getting residents of Prince George's County job-ready, said Nicole Peters, the company's project director.

Davis taught free GMAC sessions for Arbor to explain the importance of credit worthiness when applying for jobs and how it impacts your life, Peters said.

"We like to partner with other businesses throughout the county to bring diversity," Peters said. "Sometimes an individual can learn something three or four different ways; one way may be the way it really drives it home."

For information, contact Davis at 301-249-2261 or davisfinancial373@msn.com.

E-mail Liz Skalski at eskalski@gazette.net.