Small Group can Change the World
by Jan Sherrell
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever does.” (Margaret Mead)
Early spring 2009, about six of us with a passion for financial literacy and youth met. We began with a bunch of knowns:
- The majority of youth get their financial education from their parents.
- Many of those parents are living above their means, spending more than they earn in a year, using predatory lending places.
- Schools are being pushed more and more toward testing and teaching core subjects.
- Schools are doing the best they can but financial elements are not a major component of current curriculum.
- A person needs to hear something repeatedly for it to really sink in and be learned.
- Summer programs are very open to suggested curriculum if you can make it easy for them to adopt.
- Junior Achievement is much more than field trips to Biz Town and Finance Park.
Flash forward to fall 2009, over 400 youth in Floyd and Clark County surreptitiously received some extra financial literacy knowledge.
We were able to partner with Floyd and Clark public libraries, offering them prizes to use in their summer reading program (savings bonds from Your Community Bank) and they incorporated money/finance books into the reading choices. 150 youth completed the requirements.
Using our community connections, we made contact at several summer youth programs (Ed Endres Boys & Girls Club, YMCA of Southern Indiana, Salvation Army, NAFC School Corporation) pitching an age appropriate Junior Achievement program. We (namely Diane Murphy) recruited the instructors for these summer programs. JA spoke with each program director matching the best JA product/program with their needs and supplying materials. 252 youth from kindergarten through high school received information on budgeting, future career development, how to save money and more at no cost to these summer programs.
How cool is that – just by a few people coming together and believing we can make a difference. Do you have something you are passionate about? Rally a few people together and see where your passion leads you. You may be surprised.
