Center For Financial Empowerment

Despite facing financial hardships and limited access to technology and books, Jonathan Miguel has shown remarkable determination in his pursuit of education. While many of his peers had the benefit of experienced tutors, Jonathan relied on his own resilience to excel, maintaining a high GPA and setting ambitious goals. He plans to study real estate, not only for personal success but also to inspire and educate low-income minorities in his community. The CFE, in partnership with the YWCA San Gabriel Valley, is proud to award Jonathan a $1,000 college scholarship. Congratulations!

The Center for Financial Empowerment was honored to partner with California State Senator Susan Rubio to provide a #MadCityMoney financial simulation program for her WINGS event. Women Inspiring the Next Generation of Sisterhood (WINGS) is an annual event giving youth from the 22nd Senate district an opportunity to learn about business etiquette, financial literacy, healthcare access, and healthy relationships, all things Senator Rubio didn’t have access to learn about while growing up. 150 teens participated in the day’s events where they learned valuable financial lessons through our interactive program. The teens offer their own testimonials- Today I learned how unexpected events can affect all of my expenses, and that I should be wise with my money. – Digna The best thing I learned was how having a credit score can affect buying a house. I liked the experience because it taught me things I didn’t know until today. – Angela Trying to buy things within a limited budget was a real challenge, and it made me realize how tough it can be to make financial decisions. – Taika I have a deeper appreciation for my parents and what they do for me. I am grateful that I have a deeper understanding of what managing my money feels like. – Lynsey Groceries are a lot more expensive than I thought. – Vivian You can help us help thousands of students. From volunteering to donating, there are many ways you can bring priceless financial literacy lessons to Southern California and Southern Nevada high school students. Use the link to make a positive impact in many lives. https://lnkd.in/g5y36D-H

It’s the 17th Annual National Teen Driver Safety Week, seven days dedicated to raising awareness and seeking answers to help prevent teenage injuries and death in auto accidents. Inexperience behind the wheel, alcohol, drug use, drowsy driving, excessive speed, and distracted driving are just some of the biggest risk factors for teen drivers. Use the link to learn more about safe driving behaviors. https://lnkd.in/eVaW-6aY

Calling all adult thespians and volunteer types in and around Boyle Heights. We need you to play the roles of salespeople and bankers for our #MCM event at the PUENTE Learning Center on November 2. Students attempt to manage bills and stay on budget in this hands-on simulation. It’s an eye-opening experience for them and your chance to make a positive impact. Use the link to sign-up today! https://lnkd.in/gvT9H6Xu

Today is #GetSmartAboutCreditDay. Use the link in our bio for 6 ways teens can build good credit from our founder, Rize Credit Union. https://ow.ly/8ENt50TJKQ5

Trenton Harris can point to specific turning point moments in his life. As a young student he would overcome a stuttering problem through daily reading sessions with his father. His mother recognized his love for designing buildings in the video game Minecraft and introduced him to architecture. He plans to pursue a degree in the field and his goal is to design affordable, sustainable homes that incorporate nature. Trenton is laser focused on his future and so eager for its challenges, he took extra classes at Morris Sunset East High School to graduate early and get a head start on higher education. The CFE is happy to help him build a bright future with this $1,000 scholarship.

The annual #MadCityMoney tradition at Chaffey High School continued in late September with an event on the Ontario campus. 150 students experienced a month’s worth of “adulting” through our interactive simulation. In our fictional Mad City setting, teens got to juggle make believe budgets complete with credit card debt, childcare and unexpected expenses. Our thanks to all the Chaffey teachers, CHAFFEY JOINT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT staff, and Rize Credit Union team members who filled the roles of Mad City salespeople and helped students learn important lessons in the process. Here are some student takeaways: Today I learned that your credit score really matters when purchasing houses and transportation. – Dylan The unexpected debt payments caught me off guard and foiled my whole plan of how my money spending was going. Overall this was a very fun, interesting, and interactive experience. – Israel I learned childcare is more than I initially thought and certain activities cost a lot of money, also that you have to expect the unexpected a lot throughout your life. – Louie I learned not to spend money on a boat before a house. – Eric From volunteering to donating, there are many ways you can help bring priceless financial literacy lessons to Southern California and Southern Nevada high school students. Use the link and make a positive impact in many lives. https://lnkd.in/g5y36D-H

Today is #NationalStopBullyingDay. Did you know that 1 out of every 4 teens is bullied, and 9 out of 10 LGBTQ+ students experience harassment at school and online? Nearly 5 ½ million students stay home from school on any given day because they are afraid of being bullied. Bullying can and does happen just about anywhere. If you or someone you know is being bullied, there are things you can do to keep yourself and others safe. Use the link to learn ways you can help. https://lnkd.in/e9V7Qgdy

Congratulations and much appreciation to our #CFEFunRun team. The total is in, and we raised $8,000! These generous contributions will go toward #MadCityMoney events involving hundreds of high school students as well as financial education classes in Southern California and Southern Nevada. We’d also like to thank our sponsors for your support: Rize Credit Union HyattWard Advertising, Inc CX&B United Corporation - Promotional Products and Services Mitchell Stankovic and Associates Pacific Resource Recovery (PRR) If you didn’t get a chance to participate, there are always opportunities to donate or volunteer. Use the link to learn how you can get involved. https://lnkd.in/g5y36D-H

Leodain, or Leo, is a recent immigrant from Cuba who has been in the U.S. for less than a year. Despite the language barrier and facing many challenges along the way, he’s worked incredibly hard to adjust. His family sold everything and undertook a tough journey through several countries to make it to the U.S. After arriving in Las Vegas, Leo had to deal with complicated paperwork and medical requirements before he could even start school. Things weren’t easy at first, but after switching to Morris Sunset, he found his way toward achieving his goals. Leo is deeply thankful to his principal, Ms. White, and the teachers and staff who’ve supported him. He also credits his mother and brother, his biggest supporters, for keeping him motivated during this transition. With a bright smile and positive attitude, Leo always encourages others to seize opportunities, even if they're afraid of failure. He believes that no matter how many times you fall, you can always get back up and keep going. The CFE is thrilled to award Leo a $1,000 scholarship toward his college expenses. Congratulations, Leo!