St. Joseph’s College To Sponsor Youth Financial Literacy Program

March 2, 2012 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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BENSONHURST — St. Joseph’s College, the Brooklyn Kings County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President have announced the creation of a pilot youth financial literacy program in Brooklyn.

The first event in this program will take place on Tuesday, March 6, at 4 p.m. at New Utrecht High School, 1601 80th St., Bensonhurst.

“We teach our young people how to read, but we often overlook financial literacy—being ‘fluent’ in the knowledge of everything from credit scores and maintaining a checking account to securing financial aid and setting up a budget,” said Borough President Marty Markowitz. “If we expect young adults to attend college or hold down a job, they need to be prepared for the financial responsibilities that follow. I am proud to join St. Joseph’s College, the Brooklyn Kings County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and all of the participating schools and sponsors in helping our youth learn the ABCs of dollars and cents.”

This pilot program, launched in conjunction with New Utrecht High School, West Brooklyn Community High School and South Brooklyn Community High School, will take place from March 6 to April 28, with four sessions at various locations across the borough.

Open to seniors and juniors at these schools, these sessions will discuss the basics of personal finance, such as credit, personal banking, budgeting and financial aid for higher education.

At the conclusion of these sessions, participating students will possess the requisite knowledge they need to make informed, educated decisions about their finances.

“We’re delighted to partner with Borough President Markowitz and the Brooklyn Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to provide this program to these students,” stated Sister Elizabeth Hill, CSJ, president, St. Joseph’s College. “As we’ve seen very recently, a lack of sophistication regarding financial products can be highly dangerous, and, through this program, we hope to teach these students the fiscal skills that they will need in adulthood.”