Culture & Diversity
Paying it forward through financial literacy
May 25, 2018
Relatively few people – especially students – take time to plan ahead for their future finances. Mostly, because they don’t know how to, and it’s not a normal part of their middle or high school curriculum.
With the help of Raymond James associates across the country as part of Financial Literacy Month, volunteers helped to bridge the financial literacy gap by teaching students basic financial skills, like starting a savings account, balancing a checkbook and economics through fun, interactive activities.
Organizations involved included Junior Achievement’s Day of Difference and the SIFMA Foundation’s Invest it Forward program.
Wealth Solutions Case Manager Noreen McClure teaches fourth grade students the importance of money in business.
Director of Compliance Chad Bostak teaches third grade students why "Money Matters to a City."
Mike Jepson (far right), a financial advisor in Texas, and Stephen Smith (left), a participant in the Advisor Mastery Program (AMP), pose with Coldspring-Oakhurst High School “Teacher of the Year”, Susan Caldwell.
Marketing Account Executive Alexa Gedigian reviews with fourth graders what makes someone a good risk or a bad risk for a bank loan.
At our 5th Annual Junior Achievement Wii Bowl-A-Thon fundraiser, Jesse Bernhardt (second from left) and Karlie Slowiak (third from left) were crowned "Junior Achievement Wii Bowling Champions," and went up against Chairman & CEO Paul Reilly (far right) and SVP and Regional Director Patrick O'Connor (far left).
“After walking us out, Susan told us that Coldspring-Oakhurst is a "Title I" school, which means that over 70% of the kids receive free breakfast and lunch. She went on to explain that it's a very poor, rural area. I’d encourage anyone considering how to give back to get involved with financial literacy – and maybe, just maybe, we can change the percentages a little bit.” – Mike Jepson, Financial Advisor
“I love being in the classroom and engaging with the class. It feels a bit exposed at first, but the kids are really attentive and eager to please an unfamiliar face. At the end of the session when the kids ask you when you’re coming back, you know you made a meaningful impression.” – Alexa Gedigian, Marketing Account Executive