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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!
