Press
Free financial education event for teens a success
Nonprofit hosted Money Rocks Georgetown on Oct. 19
GEORGETOWN, SC (October 30, 2013) – Family Services, Inc. (FSI) hosted a free youth financial education summit called Money Rocks on Saturday, October 19 at Georgetown Middle School. More than 120 attendees participated in the event. The day began at 8 a.m. with a Community Fair for all ages. Area businesses and organizations such as Georgetown Kraft Credit Union, Georgetown City Fire Department, Family Justice Center, and Georgetown County Library participated.
The Money Rocks summit consisted of financial education workshops geared toward 12 to 21-year-olds, with topics on budgeting, saving, proper debit/credit card usage, college financial aid, job interviewing skills, and social media etiquette. The Parents Only Workshop covered similar topics that HRC teaches throughout the year, such as the Making Ends Meet budgeting workshop held monthly at their Charleston location. Breakfast and lunch were provided.
FSI’s largest division, the Homeownership Resource Center (HRC), began the summit in Charleston in 2011 after years of client comments, such as: “I wish I knew how to manage my money a long time ago,” and, “I wish we were taught about personal money management and how to plan for the future in high school.”
The event has gained popularity in Charleston over the last three years. The first year saw nearly 100 students, and last year Money Rocks Charleston had more than 300 participants.
“With the overwhelming response in the last few years, we decided to expand to Georgetown County,” HRC Director Debbie Kidd said. “The opportunity arose through a partnership with Georgetown Kraft Credit Union, and it worked out perfectly.”
With more than 120 in attendance, students represented all areas of Georgetown County–Andrews High School, Carvers Bay Middle and High Schools, Georgetown Middle and High Schools, Rosemary Middle, and Waccamaw Middle and High Schools. Even students from Kingstree Middle and High Schools participated.
“It was a great success, and we are truly grateful for the support and motivation of the community to provide financial education to Georgetown County teens and young adults,” FSI Marketing & Development Director Jenna Shelton Johnson said. “Giving a teen even just one piece of information can and will dramatically change their mindset in how to plan financially. It is empowering to see this event make that kind of difference.”
Money Rocks Georgetown was FREE to the community due to the generous support of Platinum Sponsors Georgetown Kraft Credit Union and Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation, as well as Venue Sponsor Georgetown County School District, Media Sponsor Time Warner Cable Media, and Silver Sponsor Provost Academy South Carolina.
“GKCU was honored to help bring this event to the students in Georgetown County,” said Nikki Ewing, GKCU Marketing Director. “For years, GKCU has been passionate about giving young people the tools necessary to be successful with their financial independence. This summit allows students to expand and gain much-needed knowledge about money management in a fun, interactive way. We look forward to working with Family Services and the school district to expand Money Rocks Georgetown for years to come.”