In Young AmeriTowne, students discover philanthropy by thinking about how they can share their time, talent and treasure. Today, we’re highlighting a proud partner of Young Americans Center for Financial Education that has shared time, talent and treasure with young learners for nearly three decades: Empower . Empower Retirement first became involved with Young Americans Center near the very start of the Young AmeriTowne program in 1991. Over the next 28 years, Empower sent thousands of low-income students to Young AmeriTowne or International Towne and taught thousands more the basics of financial education through Money Matters classes. This year, Young Americans Center is thrilled to have Empower as a supporter at the 2019 Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars business competition and gala fundraiser. The driving force behind Empower’s community impact is a focus on ACT: associates, community, together. According to the Empower website , “Our ACT Program is designed to amplify the commitment of each associate through matching their donations, funding volunteer time and supporting collaborative philanthropy.” EMPOWER VOLUNTEER “SUPER HEROES” HELPED PREPARE YOUNG AMERITOWNE FOR A NEW SCHOOL YEAR, INCLUDING YOUNG AMERICANS CENTER BOARD MEMBER STEPHANIE BENDRICK. This focus has enabled Empower to have a direct impact on youth through volunteer time in programs. In 2018 alone, 24 Empower volunteers donated 127 hours by serving as business consultants in Young AmeriTowne or International Towne, preparing the physical Towne spaces for the start of a new school year, and providing feedback as part of a YouthBiz StartUp pitch competition judging panel. Leading this volunteer effort is Stephanie Bendrick, Vice President, Transformation and Innovation at Empower and Member of the Young Americans Center Board of Directors. In particular, Ms. Bendrick’s leadership on the Board has helped guide technology upgrades throughout the organization and has helped determine the strategic direction of Young Americans Center as a whole. For Ms. Bendrick, “Serving on the Board is a way to provide the next generation with knowledge to budget, save and obtain a secure financial future.” The impact of Empower is extraordinary. Since 1991, 471,318 youth have participated in Young AmeriTowne where they gained a hands-on lesson in free enterprise that prepared them for life-long financial success. Thank you Empower for your continued commitment to today’s young learners!

Sponsor Spotlight: Empower shares time, talent, and treasure with young learners

Janet Redwine Get Involved, International Towne, Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

In Young AmeriTowne, students discover philanthropy by thinking about how they can share their time, talent and treasure. Today, we’re highlighting a proud partner of Young Americans Center for Financial Education that has shared time, talent and treasure with young learners for nearly three decades: Empower. Empower Retirement first became involved with Young Americans Center near the very start of the …

Market students at work in Young AmeriTowne

Sponsor Spotlight: Lifelong lessons delivered by CliftonLarsonAllen Foundation

Janet Redwine Get Involved, International Towne, Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

Each year, the Send-a-School Project affords low-income schools an opportunity to participate in the Young AmeriTowne and International Towne educational programs.  A valuable partner in this work is CliftonLarsonAllen Foundation, which provided scholarship funds for 504 deserving students last year. Why is this learning so valuable?  Researchers are able to demonstrate that financial literacy “reduces the likelihood of being financially fragile …

Students outside YA with Yellow School Bus

Sponsor Spotlight: Managing money the right way, thanks to Adolph Coors Foundation

Janet Redwine Get Involved, International Towne, Young AmeriTowne, YouthBiz Leave a Comment

Imagine a Colorado where every youth, regardless of background, knows how to earn, make and manage his or her money wisely.  Adolph Coors Foundation shares this vision through its support of hands-on financial education at Young Americans Center. Essential to Young Americans Center is the belief that children learn best when they are doing. In Young AmeriTowne, fifth graders hold a …

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Meet a Mentor: Ryan Beiser, Regional President and Head of Corporate Banking, PNC Bank

Janet Redwine Events, Get Involved, YouthBiz 1 Comment

Every year, the Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars business competition pairs three Denver-area business leaders with three up-and-coming youth entrepreneurs.  The first mentor we are highlighting for this year’s 18th annual competition is Ryan Beiser, PNC regional president and head of Corporate Banking for Colorado. Beiser’s extensive background in business and finance and most importantly, his personal commitment to community engagement and …

AmeriTowne On the Road in New Mexico Smiling Students. She is in front of a cash register with others.

Back from Albuquerque

Janet Redwine Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

Young AmeriTowne On the Road just returned from its farthest voyage this summer: Albuquerque, New Mexico!  The program delivered a hands-on lesson in financial education to 21 elementary school students through a week-long summer camp program. This summer marks the third consecutive year that AmeriTowne On the Road has reached students in New Mexico.  This year, as in years past, …

YouthBiz products on shelves e

Sponsor Spotlight: Kids gain real sales experience at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children

Janet Redwine Events, Get Involved, YouthBiz Leave a Comment

Walk into Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center, and you’ll immediately see a kid-friendly gift shop filled with toys, games, stuffed animals, candy, and even products made by young entrepreneurs.  This unique space is the result of a special partnership between Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children and a YouthBiz Star entrepreneur. In 2015, Rocky Mountain Hospital …

YouthBiz Stars Applicant Products

Meeting the Stars: Young Americans Center names top Colorado youth businesses

Janet Redwine Events, YouthBiz 2 Comments

Youth business owners, family members, and fans gathered at Young Americans Center for Financial Education on Tuesday for the Meet the Stars event, which recognized the 46 applicants to this year’s Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars business competition.  The room was filled with both inspiration and anticipation! During the event, Anna Leer, Vice President of YouthBiz, and Rich Martinez, President and …

Young AmeriTowne Bank customers write checks at the bank

Sponsor Spotlight: Financially fit future thanks to IMA Foundation

Janet Redwine Get Involved, Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

Young AmeriTowne and International Towne help prepare young people for the real world.  And thanks to the IMA Foundation, students from all different backgrounds can gain this hands-on experience in financial education. Proud partner IMA supports the Send-a-School initiative of Young Americans Center for Financial Education which provides scholarships to Young AmeriTowne and International Towne.  This education is particularly important …

Students Shake Hands in the AmeriTowne College with graduation cap and outfit. Two other students handshake and praise the graduate.

Sponsor Spotlight: Colorado Community Colleges provide a free education in Young AmeriTowne

Janet Redwine Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

Nestled right between the Bank and the Medical Center is a valuable institution: the Young AmeriTowne College. Here, five Colorado Community Colleges ensure that students receive a free education every day! Five educational institutions came together in 2013 to promote hands-on, real world learning: Arapahoe Community College, Community College of Aurora, Community College of Denver, Front Range Community College, and Red …

Sharp and Ready: YouthBiz StartUp at Porter Billups Leadership Academy

Sharp and Ready: YouthBiz StartUp at Porter Billups Leadership Academy

Janet Redwine YouthBiz Leave a Comment

For three consecutive weeks this the summer, fourth- through eleventh-graders gathered at Regis University for the Porter Billups Leadership Academy.  These students have a chance to do something many of their peers deem impossible: graduate from high school and attend college.  And for the first time since this program was established in 1996, YouthBiz was an important part of their …