Your Two Cents: Money Coach teens connect with local business leaders

Money Coach students recently shared stories of financial freedom with a select group of local business leaders in a program we call “Your Two Cents.” Students in the Money Coach financial mentoring program also had the chance to participate in “flash mentoring” discussions with those business leaders, including executives from BMO Harris, Northwestern Mutual, Baird, US Bank, and more.

Chao, a current participant of the program at the Hmong American Peace Academy:
“We go to school, we learn geography, writing, literature… but we don’t get taught life lessons like this, and it’s a rare opportunity where after we learn it, we actually use it out there in the real world. I felt really honored and really special. Money Coach is like a second parent to me. It motivates me to achieve bigger and better things because I can save for it.”

Skye, pictured far left, an alumna of the Money Coach program and participated at Urban Underground:

“My coach was very, very helpful. Even after the sessions you can stay there and talk about basically anything. If you don’t understand something they make sure you get it before you make any financial decisions.”

Skye says she learned to track her spending. “I really wanted a car, and Money Coach helped me see that I really needed to prioritize.” (She did eventually get her car!)

Elijah, an alumnus of the program at the Hmong American Peace Academy:

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