keys to financial success
Preparing youth aging out of foster care to be
financially independent.
KEYS TO FINANCIAL SUCCESS
A financial literacy program that prepares youth aging out of foster care to build a strong financial foundation, that will prepare them to be financially independent. We teach the the basics of budgeting, banking, credit, investing, how to avoid predatory lending and protect their identity. Youth are matched with a financial coach who helps guide them as they develop their financial skills. As part of our program, youth that demonstrate an ability to save money can receive a match of up to $1,000.
We offer a limited number of additional matches for youth who need to buy a car in order to get to work, school or affordable housing. As part of this program youth are required to participate in a self-paced car education course, which covers all things car-related from reading a Carfax to insurance.
Criteria for Enrollment
Youth must be referred by AFFCF’s Keys to Success staff or the Post-Secondary program manager. Additional requirements include:
- Must participate in Keys to Success program or be a graduate of Keys to Success, or
- Must be an AFFCF scholarship recipient, or
- Must be a recipient of the AFFCF Safety-Net Fund
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Our Keys to Financial Success always needs volunteers to help facilitate or coach for our youth. If you are good with your own personal budget and have time to commit, we would love to hear from you! We welcome volunteers from all sectors of the economy as it provides our youth a chance to meet people who can share different career opportunities with them and expand their world view.
VOLUNTEER FACILITATOR ROLE
- Make a commitment to leading the course at least once in the year
- Attend a two-hour volunteer orientation training
- Participate in planning meetings with Keys to Financial Success (KtFS) Program Manager prior to start of each course date
- In partnership with other KtFS coaches, the lead facilitator guides the youth through the six-hour Keys to Financial Success curriculum
- Be a resource to the youth for financial literacy questions related to the course curriculum and their unique circumstances
- As applicable, be available to the youth assigned to them for future financial literacy-related questions via text or email.
- Adhere to the volunteer guidelines and the AFFCF core code of ethics
Time Commitment
- Participate in one six-hour in-person class one to three times a year
- Be available one hour a month for the period of time if assigned to a youth
- Meet with the KtFS Program Manager and other Lead Facilitators as needed to evaluate the course design, curriculum and outcome metrics in order to assess needs for ongoing course development
- Report back to program manager any recommendations for course changes or issues
Desired Qualities
- Understanding and ability to model good financial practices and habits (walk the talk)
- Willing listener
- Encouraging and supportive
- Tolerant and respectful of individual differences
- Willing to learn about community of youth being
VOLUNTEER COACH ROLE
- Make a 12-commitment and participate in a minimum of one course during that time frame
- Attend a two-hour volunteer orientation training
- Be a resource to the youth for financial literacy questions related to the course curriculum and their unique circumstances
- Communicate with staff about any concerns that are outside of financial literacy
- Check in with youth assigned on a monthly basis for a minimum of six months
- Update youth’s progress in the KtFS database
- Adhere to the volunteer guidelines and the AFFCF code of ethics
Time Commitment
- Participate in one six-hour in-person class (one to three times a year)
- Attend volunteer training sessions – one two-hour session for orientation (One-time activities completed at time commitment begins.)
- Be available one hour a month for the period of time assigned to a youth (minimum of six months)
- Meet with other coaches and the Lead Facilitator to debrief after each course completes (two hours, one to three times a year)
- Document youth updates in the KtFS database at minimum once a month
Desired Qualities
- Understanding and ability to model good financial practices and habits (walk the talk)
- Willing listener
- Encouraging and supportive
KTFS VOLUNTEER INTEREST FORM
We’d love to have you join our team – please complete the form below to get started!