Depositing $2,785.50 in the bank is exciting no matter how old you are. And if you’ve worked to collect all of the funds yourself, you might be so excited that you couldn’t possibly sit still! FOURTH GRADE STUDENTS MOLLY AND TOMAS ORGANIZE BAGS OF CHANGE TO DEPOSIT AT YOUNG AMERICANS BANK THROUGH THE SPARK CHANGE PROGRAM. This was the case last Thursday as fourth grade students from Graland Country Day School skipped into Young Americans Bank to make a deposit as part of the Spark Change program. Spark Change is a K-8 curriculum that provides a hands-on lesson in philanthropy and leadership as students collect change and then donate their time and talent to local causes. Student leaders have worked on the program throughout the fall, researching causes and collecting change, and their deposit means they are nearing the end. “We have just one more week to go,” said Library Coordinator and program head Linda Sears who supervised the deposit. Students Molly, Tomas, Emory, and Jacob were on-hand to help. Service learning is important to Graland, a private Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade school in Denver. According to its website, “Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.” Ms. Sears echoed this mission, saying, “We’ve been doing the Spark Change program for years because we want to help our community. It’s important for all students.” Spark Change provides a hands-on approach to philanthropy. “I did some extra chores at my house to help earn more money,” said nine-year-old Molly. “And I brought in $41–just me!” Tomas raised $1,000 on a Go Fund Me site that his dad helped him set up. Jacob went into every classroom with posters and information so the school would know what the change drive was all about. And next week, the group plans to picket the “Kiss ‘N Go” drop off line at school to raise even more. TOMAS, JACOB, AND EMORY PEER INTO THE YOUNG AMERICANS BANK COIN MACHINE AS PROGRAM LEADER LINDA SEARS, LIBRARY COORDINATOR AT GRALAND COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL, OBSERVES. Although the group hasn’t narrowed down their nonprofits just yet, they have decided to dedicate their funds to help the environment, to the homeless, and to health–one third to each. “It feels really good to know that we’re helping people and our earth,” said Tomas. Morgan Levy, Assistant Vice President at Young Americans Bank, assisted the group with their deposit, spending most of the time at the change machine. Although she’s helped hundreds of young people with their deposits, this day was particularly memorable. “It’s really fun to get to see how much the students bring in through Spark Change,” she said. “And it’s inspiring, too–change really all adds up!” To learn more about Spark Change or to introduce this program to your students, contact Program Coordinator Kelsie Byrd at kbyrd@yacenter.org.

Graland Students Spark Change

Janet Redwine Programs, Spark Change Leave a Comment

Depositing $2,785.50 in the bank is exciting no matter how old you are.  And if you’ve worked to collect all of the funds yourself, you might be so excited that you couldn’t possibly sit still! This was the case last Thursday as fourth grade students from Graland Country Day School skipped into Young Americans Bank to make a deposit as …

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How to Share the Love this Holiday Season

Janet Redwine Events, Get Involved, Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

A proud partner of Young Americans Center for Financial Education, Schomp Automotive, is ramping up their support of youth financial education this holiday season, and there are three ways that you can participate, too!  Here’s how you can join the Share the Love Event: Share the Love at Schomp Subaru Support a great cause by purchasing or leasing at Schomp …

A child with many toys is shown

Three Easy Ways to Help Kids Give This Holiday Season

Janet Redwine Get Involved, Spark Change, Young AmeriTowne, YouthBiz Leave a Comment

Kids are very generous.  So many YouthBiz owners donate a portion (or all!) of their profits to help others.  In Young AmeriTowne last year, students donated an average of $2.25 per student–pretty remarkable given that their salary is only $20-$30.  And in Spark Change, students collect change and donate their time, talent, and treasure to a nonprofit.  As giving it …

On a Thursday evening, the “best of the best” youth entrepreneurs pitched their business ideas to a panel of judges. These 16 middle school students won top honors at their school’s Colorado Uplift YouthBiz StartUp pitch competition, and convened for the finals to compete for the top prize: $250. Their creativity and professionalism impressed judges and audience members alike!

YouthBiz Entrepreneurs Impress at Colorado Uplift Finale

Maite Wantwadi YouthBiz Leave a Comment

On a recent Thursday evening, the “best of the best” youth entrepreneurs pitched their business ideas to a panel of judges.  These 16 middle school students won top honors at their school’s Colorado Uplift YouthBiz StartUp pitch competition, and convened for the finals to compete for the top prize: $250.  Their creativity and professionalism impressed judges and audience members alike! …

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Hands-on Financial Education Makes a Difference

Janet Redwine Get Involved, Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

When Skyline Vista Elementary School students visited Young AmeriTowne last spring, they were fortunate to have volunteers from JPMorgan Chase & Co. helping them out.  Melissa Bowman, Casey Karcich, Shanee Ceja, and Lesly Nicole, who all work at Chase, served as “business consultants” in AmeriTowne, helping students determine their pricing strategy, assisting the shop accountants, and reminding students about their schedules.  This …

Young AmeriTowne King Soopers Market Photo

Sponsor Spotlight: Life Lessons for Local Coloradoans

Janet Redwine Get Involved, Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

Supporting local education programs is an important initiative for King Soopers.  According to their website, “Last year alone, [King Soopers] provided $34.2 million to support schools and education programs,” including hands-on financial education programs at Young Americans Center.  Today, we’re taking a look back to the beginnings of this relationship to see how King Soopers ensures that young Coloradoans can …

Young Americans Center for Financial Education and Park Burger are thrilled to introduce you to the 14-year-old winners of Burger Biz! This team created the Omnivore’s Colorful Challenge, a delicious and more nutritious alternative to the standard hamburger. In addition to winning $500, creators Gabriel Nagel and Kellan Clapp will have their burger featured in Park Burger restaurants throughout the month of November, where a portion of its sale will benefit the hands-on financial education programs of Young Americans Center. Learn more about Gabe and Kellan’s burger on our blog, and watch their segment on Colorado & Company !

Entrepreneurs of the Month: Gabe Nagel and Kellan Clapp

Janet Redwine YouthBiz Leave a Comment

Young Americans Center for Financial Education and Park Burger are thrilled to introduce you to the 14-year-old winners of Burger Biz!  This team created the Omnivore’s Colorful Challenge, a delicious and more nutritious alternative to the standard hamburger.  In addition to winning $500, creators Gabe and Kellan will have their burger featured in Park Burger restaurants throughout the month of …

Burger Biz Finale Burgers

Building the Best Burger at Burger Biz

Janet Redwine Events, YouthBiz Leave a Comment

What’s your favorite burger? YouthBiz teamed up with Park Burger restaurants to present this challenge to middle and high school students.  The result?  A lot of learning, thought, and inspiration, and four of the best-tasting burgers judges have ever tasted! Burger Biz began when 22 students met industry experts over the course of a week.  The group met for two …

Towne Square with kids walk together in Cherry Creek

Sponsor Spotlight: How Fun Services Constructs a Local Economy in Young AmeriTowne

Janet Redwine Get Involved, Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

There’s a big movement to shop local these days, and for good reason.  According to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, a national nonprofit focused on research, policy, and partnerships that create healthy communities, “A growing body of research is proving something that many people already know: small-scale, locally owned businesses create communities that are more prosperous, entrepreneurial, connected, and generally …

Lutheran with Excel Academy Charter School: Students stand together at medical center with YACFE and staff

Sponsor Spotlight: Lutheran Medical Center Creates Financially Healthy Citizens

Janet Redwine Get Involved, Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

When you think about what it means to have a healthy lifestyle, a person’s physical, mental, and emotional health typically comes to mind.  At Young Americans Center for Financial Education, we believe that “financial” health is also key to living a healthy lifestyle, a belief supported by long-time partner Lutheran Medical Center. A survey reported by CNBC last February notes, …