Foundation grant gives new beginning to emancipated youth
Published by: Katie Matney
June 28, 2023 | Uncategorized
Toledo Metro FCU recently completed a New Beginnings grant it received from the Ohio Credit Union Foundation in the amount of $10,000 to partner with Lucas County Children Services (LCCS) and The Fair Housing Center. The grant assisted students aging out of the foster care system and prepared them to live on their own through two courses: financial literacy (Young Money University) and tenant rights/responsibilities.
“Having the ability to take the concept of People Helping People to a deeper level by guiding teens in foster care toward the path of financial stability has been incredibly rewarding and sparked a deeper commitment in me to focus on at-risk youth in our community,” said Sariah Flynn, CEO at Toledo Metro FCU and OCUL Board Member.
Credit union staff taught financial literacy (seven sessions) during the first semester, while Fair Housing Center staff taught tenant rights/responsibilities (two sessions) early in the second semester. LCCS provided classroom space and meals for each session. The entire program was completed on March 28, 2023, after the Fair Housing Center completed the tenant rights and responsibilities portion.
Toledo Metro FCU plans to repeat the program in the 2023-2024 school year with a new set of foster care students who will be emancipated in 2024. In addition, the program will expand to reach youth in the Lucas County Youth Treatment Center drug and alcohol treatment program.
The OCUF’s New Beginning Grant category was created in 2021 and serves as a way to help individuals in four areas: those recently incarcerated; youth who will be aging out of the foster care system; women leaving abusive relationships and starting out on their own, and individuals in recovery. To date, the Foundation has granted nearly $100,000 in New Beginning grants since the grant program’s inception.
Contact Katie Matney for questions or assistance.
