Financial Literacy and Asset Development for Youth

April 23, 2012

Event Details

CCC’s Policy Briefing, Financial Literacy and Asset Development for Youth, brought together three speakers whose organizations had begun pilot child-savings account programs designed to help low-income children and families save money and learn about financial literacy.

Many of New York City’s working families struggle to save for their children’s futures.  This is the case not just because their incomes are low, but also because they may lack access to, or familiarity with, financial institutions and products that would enable them to save. Each of the speakers discussed their pilot child-focused savings programs, aimed at helping families overcome these barriers.

The three speakers represented different perspectives: a community-based organization, a government agency and a private foundation. The speakers were:

• Kate Shoemaker, Director of Policy, Harlem Children’s Zone
• Deborah Brooks, Project Lead, Administration for Children’s Services Youth Financial Empowerment Program
• Monica Chaves, Program Officer/College Success, Citi Foundation