Folsom, Calif. – (July 21, 2022) – SAFE Credit Union is joining forces with City of Sacramento Vice Mayor Angelique Ashby’s office to give middle and high schoolers in Natomas a firm foundation in financial readiness.
“We are grateful to SAFE Credit Union for partnering with us to help prepare our young people for success," says Ashby. "We want to give them as many tools as possible as they get started with their lifelong financial journeys.”
For the third year – and back in person since the pandemic began – SAFE Credit Union’s financial wellness team is working with Ashby’s Youth Action Corps to provide a series of financial education workshops.
The string of courses, held at the North Natomas Library in the ARC Natomas Center, 4660 Via Ingoglia St., kicked off July 12 with a tutorial on “Budgeting 101.”
SAFE Financial Wellness Coordinator Emilio Barrera says the program gives the kids a much-needed “head start.” “Most kids leaving high school do not have a true understanding of their finances,” he says.
The series continues Tuesday, July 26, with a class on “Responsible Spending;” followed by “Understanding Credit,” on Tuesday, August 2; and ends with “How to Pay for College,” on Tuesday, August 9.
Barrera says the program is a unique combination of SAFE financial education experts, leadership from Ashby’s team, and city resources offering incentives to students who complete the series of courses to achieve the best overall benefit.
The program has “become a key yearly event,” says Brieana Kline, Youth Action Corps’ workforce development coordinator with the Office of the Vice Mayor. “Being able to provide youth the opportunity to learn about financial education from SAFE in an easily accessible way – and at a level that all ages can understand – has been priceless.”
Ashby’s Youth Action Corps, established in 2010, includes the Youth Workforce Development arm that aims to provide young participants opportunities to develop work skills and build a network of support that creates pathways to employment and higher education. Efforts also engage youth with their families and encourage them to take part in city programs, volunteer, and to acquire job readiness.
Members of the Youth Action Corps in 2019 at the Creekside Fair in Natomas
Barrera says those attending this year are very inquisitive and interested in the latest trends in money. For example, he says many students are interested in cryptocurrency.
“They have a lot of big questions, and we are here to answer them,” he says, “and teach them about doing their financial research before diving into something new.”
This Youth Action Corps alignment to provide financial education to youth is part of SAFE’s effort to share wellness strategies with K-12 students during the summer. Barrera and his team recently held a Bite of Reality fair, a simulated real-life budgeting workshop, at UC Davis for 92 girls attending the American Association of University Women Tech Trek, and featuring hands-on tours of STEM facilities like the internationally known School of Veterinary Medicine.
About SAFE
SAFE Credit Union has made members an integral part of its vision since 1940. Over the years the credit union has kept the focus on what really matters, putting members first, a formula that has seen SAFE grow into a leading financial institution in Northern California with $4.5 billion in assets and about 242,000 members. SAFE crafts every cutting-edge product and sterling service with members’ needs foremost in mind. In addition to banking services conveniently available through online, chat, mobile, or phone options, SAFE offers in-person services for members and small businesses at service centers across the Greater Sacramento region. SAFE is a not-for-profit, state-chartered credit union with membership open to businesses and individuals living or working in Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Sutter, Butte, Nevada, Solano, San Joaquin, Contra Costa, Yuba, Amador, and Alameda counties. Insured by NCUA. www.safecu.org