UCC’s Youth Education and Employment Services Department partnered with Grades4Life this month to host a financial literacy workshop for the department’s program participants to equip them with the tools they need to achieve long-term financial stability.
In an era where economic stability is increasingly tied to financial intelligence, providing these opportunities is not just an “extra” service; it is a vital component of breaking the cycle of poverty. For young people enrolled in programs like YouthBuild, NJBUILD and Restorative and Transformative Justice, this financial literacy workshop looked beyond earning a paycheck. Rather, it aimed to help program particpants learn about building a sustainable future and empowering them to move from “survival mode” to strategic planning.
The workshop, hosted in collaboration with Grades4Life, a New Jersey-based non-profit that focuses on supporting youth in underserved communities by fostering a mindset of innovation, accountability, and financial independence, moved beyond basic budgeting to dive deep into the worlds of business and self-sufficiency.
Through hands-on activities and engagement opportunities, participants explored the fundamentals of branding, the power of compound interest through investing, and the discipline of strategic saving. This comprehensive approach ensured program participants are not just finding jobs, but are learning to navigate the banking, credit, and investment systems that have historically been inaccessible to low-income communities.