At Foster Success, we believe financial literacy isn’t just about numbers. It’s about empowering young people with lived experience in foster care towards independence and building a future with confidence.
As we celebrate National Financial Literacy Month this April, we recognize the vital role Foster Success’s Financial Empowerment programs play in equipping young people with the tools to take control of their financial futures.
Princess was participating in the Catalyst program when she first heard about Opportunity Passport®. The program focuses on learning how to manage finances and save. Participants go through courses focused on financial values & beliefs, budgeting, saving & investing, and more. Once completed, they have access to matched savings up to $3,500 for approved assets.
Already saving for a big purchase, Princess knew Opportunity Passport® was a chance to take her savings goal to the next level. “It taught me about budgeting and putting money [aside.] [The program] had a lot of saving techniques which was helpful because I was saving to get a car.”
And she did. After completing the program, she had enough saved to purchase her own car.
“I really do love my car! And I’m thankful for Opportunity Passport®,” she said. “If I didn’t have this help, I don’t know what I’d be doing.”
Now fueled with confidence and skills, Princess is planning her next big step with the financial foundation she’s built: saving for an apartment. In the last fiscal year alone, Foster Success supported 369 young people through our Financial Empowerment programs, distributing more than $121,000 to those who successfully completed them.
This National Financial Literacy Month, we celebrate Princess and other young people like her working towards financial independence. Our programs ensure young people are given the tools and support they need, empowering them to self-sufficiency.