Young Money Finances helps kids develop the money skills they need to succeed as adults.

Think about your early adult years and how much you knew about money. If you’re like most people there’s a lot you learned the hard way. Dondrea Brown had the same experience. After he got out of college, he had mountains of student loans and credit card debt. Through self-education, he dug himself out of debt and onto firm financial ground. Now, he’s determined to ensure that this is the last generation to start from scratch when it comes to money management. That’s why he founded Young Money Finances (YMF), a non-profit organization that prepares kids ages 11-17 for their financial future.

The need to learn money management

About 75% of kids say their parents don’t talk to them about money very often, if ever. This creates a huge knowledge gap once these kids leave home for college or to live on their own. YMF’s financial education programs facilitate learning by teaching real-life money management skills. Built on four core pillars, send, save, share and invest, the YMF programs are helping today’s kids prepare for a successful financial future.

By knowing how to create a budget, understanding how loans work, identifying the risks and rewards of the stock market and understanding the basics of entrepreneurship, kids are gaining the critical knowledge that ultimately boosts confidence. This assurance in their financial decision-making skills can have a lasting impact on their lives, as well as the lives of their families.

How YMF engages kids

YMF programs are designed to engage kids of all learning styles. For those who learn best hands-on there are simulations, such as getting a loan or investing in the stock market. Workbooks and other materials reinforce lessons for visual learners and dynamic conversations ensure auditory learners get what they need to fully grasp the information.

Summer camps

This summer YMF will hold three camps in Grand Rapids. The Young Money Managers Camp and Young Entrepreneurs Camp are slated to begin on June 20. Young Money Investor Camp starts July 18. For three weeks, each camp will meet four times a week, for two hours at a time as they learn about money in ways that could change the course of their lives. Registration for each camp is $25.

YMF understand that finances can often be a barrier to financial education. “By keeping the cost of our camps and education low, we are making sure that anyone who wants to learn about finance is able to do so,” explained Dondrea. Through money provided by grants, individual donors and volunteers who run the programs, the majority of funds raised go to YMF’s instructors and kits that help kids with financial education resources.

Consumers is proud to support YMF and our shared mission to educate youth around financial literacy with a multi-year partnership and promise to host one day during each of the summer camps. Learn more about the YMF summer camps and register online at YMFGR.org/camps.

Get your child involved, or volunteer yourself

YMF money management programs are regularly held throughout the year. Plus, Money Mentors are paired with kids to have biweekly conversations about topics such as investing, saving, budgeting and more. Get more info about programs, donating, and volunteering at YMFGR.org.

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