As the founding sponsor of Summer of Dreams, Fifth Third Bank recently provided financial empowerment programs for homeless students throughout Central Florida. Classes are based on Fifth Third’s nationwide Teach Children to Save curriculum, which emphasizes good financial practices – such as saving money and delaying gratification – to help children appreciate the value of hard work and sacrifice.
This year, 120 middle school students took the financial empowerment program at:
- Jackson Middle School
- Lee Middle School
- Carver Middle School
Summer of Dreams is a 10-week program that provides Orlando-area homeless students with two meals a day, mentoring, activities, school supplies and financial counseling. Since 2011, nearly 2,000 children and their families have participated in financial wellness workshops that feature an empowerment presentation followed by one-on-one sessions with bank employees. Topics include:
- Money management and budgeting advice
- Repairing and improving credit
- Key financial tools
- Tips on how to “pay yourself first”
“At Fifth Third Bank, we know that financial empowerment begins with a solid foundation,” said Chip Smallwood, market president of the Central Florida region. “We hope that these programs will help move us one step closer to breaking the cycle of homelessness in our community.”
For more information about the Summer of Dreams, or to get involved, visit www.TheSummerofDreams.com.
