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What’s New in Young Americans Center Programs

Janet Redwine International Towne, Programs, Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

AmeriTowne and International Towne began the 2019-20 school year with some exciting changes!  The end goal is to provide programs that are relevant, thought-provoking, and that deliver an improved hands-on lesson in financial education. Young AmeriTowne changes include parent communication, curriculum enhancements, and the Day in Towne experience.  When a school registers for Young AmeriTowne, teachers receive a Parent Newsletter …

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 …

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

Janet Redwine Get Involved, Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

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 …

Finance Minister Paperwork in International Towne Photo

Sponsor Spotlight: Eide Bailly helps students stay on track at Young Americans Center

Janet Redwine International Towne, Programs, Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

Every good business person knows that keeping track of money is important.  Thanks to Eide Bailly, students learn this lesson at an early age in Young AmeriTowne and International Towne, and they do it in a hands-on way! In Young AmeriTowne, Accountants manage the money in each shop.  In addition to ensuring each of their citizens receives a physical paycheck, …

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 …

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.” …

Passport Getting Stamped in International Towne

Sponsor Spotlight: Students Travel the World Without Leaving the State, Thanks to AAA Colorado

Janet Redwine General Leave a Comment

Every year, 11,000 young people participate in International Towne, a program of Young Americans Center for Financial Education.  Thanks to long-time partner AAA Colorado, middle school students can experience the world without ever leaving Colorado. On a recent Friday in International Towne, 13-year-old Sarina* encouraged her fellow citizens to visit her country, Russia, and purchase a chocolate chip cookie.  Sarina …