|
The Chairman's Corner The importance of budgeting and saving is a basic key element of survival for our next generation in today’s changing competitive world. Our economic future depends on the decisions they will make. Without awareness and proper programming the end result will affect the future of our economy. The My Kid Biz program provides youth, from all walks of life, with an annual comprehensive program that focuses on: Budgeting Many ask me, ‘Why are you so passionate about this program and how did it start?’ I tell everyone the story about how I was standing in the account holder line at my banking institution with my then six year old daughter and looked over and realized that the non-account holder line was much longer. The sad part was that this line had lots of parents with their kids. It dawned on me, these kids could grow up thinking that the non-account holder line was the appropriate line to be in because their parents or guardians stood in that line. That felt wrong to me and more importantly, a pattern and trend was now creating a less than favorable future for generations that would follow me. After reading her bedtime story and placing her to bed that evening, I went to another room and thought about my financial future. It dawned on me that my future was fast asleep in the other room and I had to do everything in my power to use the resources that I had and knew to secure her future and thus, I created the format for the My Kid Biz Program. The inaugural My Kid Biz Program was launched in Memphis, Tennessee
in 2001 with the help of a national non-profit organization whose
mission is to serve our youth of tomorrow. The My Kid Biz Program
continues to be a mainstay in the greater Memphis area. The program
has impacted over 1,000 children since its inception in 2001. The
biggest reward from this program is the testimonials of our parents,
once their children complete our program seminars. At our first
event, parents walked up and began hugging me and saying thanks
to all of the volunteers who gave their time and effort to help
their children. That was the greatest feeling in the world to me. I am proud that our program continues to expand across the nation
with the overwhelming support of our volunteers, corporate sponsors,
and The Friends of Omega Foundation. This continues to prove that
there are many people that want to ensure our children’s financial
success. Each day, hundreds of thousands of kids across our country struggle
with the challenge of managing their lives. Their primary challenges
of school, family and friends are more than some can bear. However,
the biggest challenge is still in front of them; how to control
their finances. It has been recorded that teens spend over $175
billion dollars or $104 each per week on retail goods. These numbers
are troubling and trending in the wrong direction because the majority
of our youth have never participated in a formal financial literacy
program. Without proper financial training, our upcoming generation
will learn more about the school of hard knocks than appropriate
savings and spending habits. These youth will soon become adults
with poor money management skills. It is now, and will continue
to be a severe problem if they are not taught the ABC’s of
money management. My Kid Biz is one of the leading financial literacy
programs in the country. The My Kid Biz Program is waiting with
open arms for all of them. Send them our way. Sincerely,
|
