𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝟭𝟬𝟬 𝗝𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀' 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘀𝗯𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸, 𝗡𝗝.
In an inspiring initiative led by Food for Thought by the Sea, a group of 11 teenagers from Asbury Park gathered at the Boys & Girls Club to embark on a journey of financial literacy. This program, funded by a generous $100,000 grant from Impact 100 Jersey Coast members, is more than just a classroom lesson—it's a game-changer for these young individuals and their community.
𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝗱𝗼𝗺
With summer jobs and first paychecks on the horizon, these teenagers are learning essential skills that many adults still grapple with. They are discovering the importance of financial discipline—how to open a bank account, save diligently, and earn interest. As Nabee Griffin, an 18-year-old Neptune High School student, aptly put it, “There’s a lot of things that come around. Stuff you may look at now, but you really can’t get it because of my other responsibilities and other things you have to handle yourself.”
𝗔 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁
This financial literacy program is just one facet of the broader workforce training initiative created by Food for Thought by the Sea, founded by restaurateur Marilyn Schlossbach. Originally focusing on culinary job pathways, the program now includes gardening, surfing, and essential financial education, thanks to Impact 100’s funding.
𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀
The importance of financial literacy cannot be overstated. Studies show that fewer than 30% of Americans can correctly answer basic financial questions. By addressing this gap early, programs like this one are setting up the next generation for success. They are teaching teens how to avoid financial pitfalls, save for emergencies, and build a stable future.
𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗨𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗱
Thanks to Impact 100 Jersey Coast members, these young individuals are gaining critical life skills that will serve them well beyond their teenage years. This initiative is a shining example of how targeted philanthropy can make a tangible difference in communities, fostering a generation that is financially savvy, confident, and ready to take on the world.
Kudos to Impact 100 Jersey Coast, Food for Thought by the Sea, and all the partners involved in making this program a reality. Your efforts are planting the seeds for a brighter, more financially literate future in Asbury Park.
𝗵𝘁𝘁𝗽𝘀://𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝟭𝟬𝟬𝗷𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘆𝗰𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁.𝗼𝗿𝗴/
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