Boys & Girls Clubs of America and U.S. Development Group Collaborate to Increase Financial Education Among Teens

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Oct 05, 2012, 12:05 ET

Scholarships and Programs Supporting Career Development, College Readiness, and Financial Literacy are Dedicated to Breaking Down Barriers

ATLANTA, Oct. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Many of the nation's teens advance into adulthood without learning the necessary skills that lead to financial independence and well-being. To promote financial literacy among teens, the U.S. Development Group committed $150,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of America to support its financial education program targeting teens.

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Created to promote financial literacy among teens by building basic money management skills, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and U.S. Development Group will expose teens, ages 13-18, to personal finance education through fun, interactive activities and exercises on topics like using a checking account, learning how to budget, managing debt, and saving for college, teens learn practical ways to save, spend and invest their money.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America initiated the financial education program targeting a large population of teens who might not normally have access to education about personal finance and money management — including Club members who come from economically disadvantaged circumstances.

"Boys & Girls Club teens are provided an opportunity to start making sound financial decisions early," said Jim Clark, president and CEO, BGCA. "Most of our teens do not have a mentor at home to advise them in this process, but with the support of U.S. Development Group this program enables young people to spark a conversation with their families on financially relevant topics that can improve their collective future."

U.S. Development Group's support will also include Career Day events, field trips and experiential activities for teens, in partnership with six Boys & Girls Club organizations across the U.S. Employees from U.S. Development Group will serve as volunteers to reinforce the concepts learned through the financial literacy programming. In addition, $12,000 in academic scholarships will be awarded to twelve youth participating in the program.

"U.S. Development strongly believes that financial literacy is essential for teens to become responsible, independent adults," said Dan Borgen, president and CEO, U.S. Development Group. "Important life skills like balancing a checkbook are often not taught in school, so many young people grow up without knowing how to manage their personal finances. We are thrilled to be partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of America on this important initiative."

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, nearly 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs serve some 4 million children and teens through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native American lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. Clubs provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at bgca.org/facebook and bgca.org/twitter.

SOURCE Boys & Girls Clubs of America