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 …

Young Americans Center for Financial Education welcomes four Daniels Scholar interns to our team this summer! Madison Turner, Sasha Shadrina, Miguel Gonzalez, and Imad Rashed, current college students, have all stepped into roles as Counselors in Young AmeriTowne and Junior Money Matters summer camps. I caught up with three of these exceptional individuals between camps to see how their experiences have been so far. Madison Turner, aka Madi, just finished her freshman year at Texas Christian University. She is working on a communications major there, and knows that she will start her own nonprofit someday. For Madi, this summer has been a “huge learning experience.” Although she has worked with children in the past, seeing them take on new, “adult” roles in Young AmeriTowne demonstrates to her how important financial education is. And, the campers are also fun to watch. “I thought it was a good life lesson when one of my students had to pay a co-pay in the AmeriTowne Medical Center,” said Madi. “He didn’t realize that he would need to put some money aside for emergencies, so this was a good example of why you shouldn’t spend all of your money.” Another accomplished intern, Imad Rashed will begin his sophomore year at Cal Poly this fall where he’s studying business. He was excited about the Young Americans Center opportunity because he thought teaching young people about business would be something different and interesting. Plus, even though he grew up in Denver, he didn’t have an opportunity to do Young AmeriTowne as a kid. In addition to facilitating learning for campers, Imad is excited that he has learned a few lessons himself this summer. “When it seems like nothing is going according to plan, I have to improvise and make sure they have a good experience regardless,” said Imad. He added, “It’s been so great having the opportunity to teach students about the world we live in and to see these lessons really stick with them.” Sasha Shadrina is just as excited about her summer so far. She is a finance major at the University of Denver, and she is also beginning her sophomore year this fall. Passionate about financial education, what she has found most interesting about her experience this summer is infection between her many interests–kids, business, education–that Young Americans Center has provided. Sasha was particularly impacted by her experience at Moorhead Recreation Center two weeks ago where she enjoyed helping kids see a different future for themselves. “It was so meaningful for me to see how much these students learned in just one week,” she said. “Kids who started the week shy ended up running for an election.” The addition of these four interns serves two purposes. Madi, Sasha, Miguel and Imad have all helped our staff deliver quality programs. But even more importantly, these four are serving as such great examples to the students they work with. Thank you to our interns for your time and dedication!

Daniels Scholars Teach and Learn in Young Americans Center Camps

Janet Redwine Classes + Camps, General, Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

Young Americans Center for Financial Education welcomes four Daniels Scholar interns to our team this summer! Madison Turner, Sasha Shadrina, Miguel Gonzalez, and Imad Rashed, current college students, have all stepped into roles as Counselors in Young AmeriTowne and Junior Money Matters summer camps.  I caught up with three of these exceptional individuals between camps to see how their experiences have been so …

Students stand together in front of Town Hall talking together

Tales from Towne: On the Road at Moorhead

Janet Redwine Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

Young AmeriTowne On the Road staff just returned from two fun-filled weeks of summer camp at Moorhead Recreation Center in Aurora.  In total, 46 students participated in two different camps, Young AmeriTowne and Junior Money Matters, experiencing a hands-on lesson in financial education.  And even more important, students gained confidence and education that will carry over into other aspects of …

Students and bus at Young Americans Center

Sponsor Spotlight: Hands-on learning in the heart of Cherry Creek, thanks to Cherry Creek Shopping Center

Janet Redwine Get Involved, Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

Hundreds of students gain a hands-on lesson in financial education at Young Americans Center for Financial Education every year.  With its headquarters in Cherry Creek, we shine a spotlight on long-time supporter Cherry Creek Shopping Center which has made this learning possible for the last decade. Students, teachers, and parents appreciate the value of the educational programs at Young Americans …

Young AmeriTowne Ballot Box Photo

Tales from Towne: Real Election Experience

Janet Redwine Classes + Camps, Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

“Our vote is our voice.  Our vote is our choice.” –Caroline Bennet, daughter of Senator Michael Bennet There are two elected positions in Young AmeriTowne: Mayor and Judge.  And for campers participating in Young AmeriTowne 2 summer camp last week, the election of these two students provided real-world experience in elections, campaigning, and politics. By Wednesday, students had already participated …

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 …

University of Denver College Hat on Stand in front of Young AmeriTowne College

Sponsor Spotlight: DU helps answer, “What should I be when I grow up?”

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An important aspect of the Young AmeriTowne program is providing career exploration opportunities for elementary students.  Thanks to the University of Denver, fourth and fifth grade students can do this for free in the AmeriTowne College shop! Connor*, age 10, was a Career Counselor at the Young AmeriTowne College when Willow Creek Elementary ran the Towne this past spring.  His …

AmeriTowne On the Road Photo

Changing Lives: Alpine Bank brings AmeriTowne to Durango and Beyond

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What’s even more exciting than the last day of school?  A visit to Young AmeriTowne! During the last few weeks of their school year, 355 Durango-area students from eight different elementary schools experienced an exciting day in Young AmeriTowne.  Local presenting sponsor Alpine Bank made this experience possible for a fourth straight year. Through this portable version of Young AmeriTowne, …

Colorado Public Radio T-Shirts on Table

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

Janet Redwine Get Involved, Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

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 …