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 …

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 …

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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 …

State Farm at Young Americans Center's Gala

Press Release: State Farm Recognized at Annual Awards Gala

Janet Redwine News Leave a Comment

Young Americans Center for Financial Education recognized the community impact of State Farm at the Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars award ceremony and gala, presented by CoBank.  This annual event was held Thursday, October 3 at the Seawell Grand Ballroom, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, where State Farm was honored with the Linda Childears Free Enterprise Award. Read the full …

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 …

2019-20 Youth Advisory Board Photo

Meet a Board Member…or two! Introducing our Youth Advisory Board CoChairs

Janet Redwine General, Get Involved Leave a Comment

The Youth Advisory Board at Young Americans Center for Financial Education provides a valuable youth perspective to the organization while youth gain experience in leadership, business, and philanthropy.  Each year, two Co-Chairs lead the Board by planning and running meetings, setting annual goals, and checking in regularly with staff.  They also help emcee the annual Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars gala! …

UPS Volunteers Young AmeriTowne with Eagleview with Towne Mayor

Sponsor Spotlight: UPS Volunteers Deliver a Day in Young AmeriTowne

Janet Redwine Get Involved, Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

Preparing for a day in Young AmeriTowne requires effort from students, teachers, and parents. So, there’s nothing worse than doing all of the work and then having your day cancelled due to snow. Unfortunately, this is exactly what happened for students at Eagleview Elementary, an Adams 12 school in Thornton. A January snow storm derailed their visit to Young AmeriTowne, …

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Meet a Mentor: Alice Jackson, President, Xcel Energy – Colorado

Janet Redwine Events, Get Involved, YouthBiz Leave a Comment

Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars, the annual business competition and gala benefitting Young Americans Center for Financial Education is just a few weeks away!  As a result, this month we’re introducing esteemed mentor Alice Jackson, President of Xcel Energy – Colorado.  Jackson joins a group of distinguished Denver-area business people willing to share their experience and knowledge by mentoring an up-and-coming …

Asian American Counts Cash and Writes in Checkbook

Sponsor Spotlight: How Vectra Bank Teaches Kids that Saving is Important

Janet Redwine Get Involved, Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

When the Federal Reserve published the latest Report on the Economic Well-Being in May, 2019, results indicated that although saving rates in the United States are improving, there is still much work to be done.  In particular, non-white and middle-to-low-income adults reported higher rates of financial distress than surveyed white and middle-to-upper-income adults.  Federal Reserve Board Governor Michelle W. Bowman …