A Towne bank teller assists another participant with manner others

Sponsor Spotlight: JJP Family Foundation Involves All Learners in Experiential Education

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

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember.  Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin Both anecdotal and research-based evidence suggests that students learn best when they experience a concept for themselves.  The Young AmeriTowne and International Towne programs do just that in the field of financial education.  They allow elementary and middle school students to open their own …

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 …

Young AmeriTowne Bank customers write checks at the bank

Sponsor Spotlight: Financially fit future thanks to IMA Foundation

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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 …

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Meet a Board Member: Tamara Doi Beck, Senior Vice President and Director, Public Funds & Taft-Hartley Plans at Northern Trust Asset Management

Janet Redwine Bank, Get Involved 3 Comments

This month, Young Americans Center for Financial Education would like to introduce someone who has been involved with hands-on financial education for years: current Young Americans Center Board Member and former Young Americans Bank customer, Tamara Doi Beck. Growing up in north Denver, Tamara Doi Beck was one Young Americans Bank’s first customers when it opened in 1987.  Tamara remembers bringing her …

Two students stand together at the Young AmeriTowne Bank

Sponsor Spotlight: Children learn-by-doing thanks to the Madge M. and Joseph T. Mohar Charitable Foundation

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

Young AmeriTowne is exciting and memorable for adults and kids alike.  That’s how a partnership began between Young Americans Center for Financial Education and Madge M. and Joseph T. Mohar Charitable Foundation, which has supported hands-on financial education for the last decade. Mr. and Mrs. Mohar both had a strong work ethic and they valued financial education.  The couple worked …

Summer Camp Bank Deposit

Looking for 37 Donor Friends!

Young Americans Center for Financial Education Classes + Camps, General, Get Involved Leave a Comment

If you were 10 years old, and your family had no money for “extras,” what would be the best news ever? How about a scholarship to the summer camp of your dreams! For 37 deserving students, the answer is “Yes! There’s a place for you at Jr. Money Matters, Girls Can, International Towne, …” In fact, every camp, from the brand ...
Many students in International Towne exchange checks

Sponsor Spotlight: Aegon Transamerica Foundation Prepares Today’s Youth

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

A recent report by the Federal Reserve Board finds that four in 10 American families are financially fragile: unable to meet a $400 emergency without going into debt. But there is hope!  Researchers studying financial fragility demonstrate that financial literacy “reduces the likelihood of being financially fragile by more than six percentage points…above and beyond the effects of educational achievement.” …

Colorado Public Radio T-Shirts on Table

Sponsor Spotlight: The AmeriTowne Radio Station delivers real-world skills, thanks to Colorado Public Radio

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One goal of the Young AmeriTowne program is to help students prepare to be successful adults.  At AmeriTowne in Denver, students learn what holding a job is like in the Colorado Public Radio Station.  And they have a blast in the process! The job application process is one example.  By applying and interviewing for an AmeriTowne job, students gain real-world …

Lansing Elementary students in AmeriTowne

AmeriTowne On the Road wraps up third year in Aurora

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Young AmeriTowne staff members literally “set up shop” in Aurora during the month of April, marking three years of presence in the Aurora community.  This year a total of 537 students participated in AmeriTowne On the Road, presented by CoBank, representing schools throughout the district. The Aurora location made the program accessible for all types of learners.  Principal Jennifer Murtha …