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Virtual Programs are Here!

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Young Americans Center for Financial Education has launched registration for 28 Virtual Program offerings!  These three- or four-day sessions provide fun, engaging activities while preparing youth for the future.  Below is a sneak peak at some of our favorites! Money Money Money Students wrapping up first or second grade this school year can take a deep dive into all things …

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Learning money basics at a young age helps build a strong financial future

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It’s important to start conversations about money with children early on in life. Teaching kids the basics — like needs vs. wants and budgeting — can be fun and is an invaluable step in laying a strong financial foundation for future decision making. My financial journey started when I was very young and is a trend I continued with my …

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Meet a Board Member: Scott Simon, Chief Investment Officer, Fire and Police Pension Association of Colorado

Janet Redwine Bank, Get Involved Leave a Comment

Young Americans relies on the leadership and expertise of two Board of Directors that provide oversight and strategic planning for both Young Americans Bank and Center for Financial Education.  This month, we are proud to introduce a member of the Young Americans Bank Board of Directors, Scott Simon. Simon brings 26 years of professional investment management experience to the Board.  …

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ReFUND CO highlights an easy way to support kids

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If you get a state income tax refund in 2020, you will have a new opportunity to donate some or all of it to support our ongoing work in the community. The new program described by the ReFUND CO initiative puts you in charge of where your donation goes. It’s as simple as 1,2,3: Decide how much of your refund …

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Sponsor Spotlight: Bank of the West Helps Students Understand Importance of Culture in Global Economics

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Founder and CEO of Techstars, David Brown recently wrote an article titled, “Why Understanding Culture Is Important to Doing Business Around the World” (Inc.com).  Within this article, Brown argues that future businesspeople will make a better impression if they understand the cultures they interact with and travel to as their companies expand around the world.  He goes over five areas …

AmeriTowne On the Road Container Shop

Life Skills in Northern Colorado

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The signature AmeriTowne On the Road program visits Greeley for the next two weeks, serving 550 students from throughout the northern Colorado region.  Special guests, including the Mayor of Greeley and representatives from local Presenting Sponsor Community Banks of Colorado, helped kick-off this visit by welcoming students from Ann K. Heiman Elementary on Wednesday, February 5. Mirroring the beloved Young …

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I Learned it in Young AmeriTowne: JD Schneider, Associate, Faegre Baker Daniels LLP

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  Young AmeriTowne turns 30 years old this year!  More than half a million youth have gained a hands-on lesson in free enterprise—a generation of young people.  To celebrate this accomplishment, we’re highlighting local business leaders who participated in AmeriTowne when they were kids.  Today, meet JD Schneider, Associate at Faegre Baker Daniels LLP and former Bank President in AmeriTowne. …

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

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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

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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 …