The Canastota Public Library has partnered with Girls in Engineering, Mathematics and Science and NBT Bank’s Strive Financial Literacy program to bring financial education to young girls in the area.
NBT Bank of Canastota Branch Manager Amanda Douglass will meet with a group of girls ages 11-15 to discuss her career in banking, the importance of saving, ways that teens typically spend money, and how to make better decisions on spending and saving.
The first lesson was held at 3:30 p.m. today, Friday, April 7; the next will be Friday, May 5.
In addition to the programs with GEMS, Douglass will return to the library on July 17 for a special event open to children of all ages. The “Maker Mondays” craft group will be making piggy banks to help teach children about saving money, and particularly coins. Children will need to be enrolled to attend this program. More information will be available in the coming weeks.
“We do a lot of financial education in school classrooms, but these afterschool library programs are really fun, and they complement what the kids are learning at school,” said Douglass. “By teaching kids at a young age that it’s important to save early and often, they tend to manage their own money better as they grow up.”
Strive provides in-classroom, in-branch and online financial education to help youth and young adults establish a positive relationship with money, grow their money skills, and navigate personal finance as their financial needs mature. NBT Bank’s Strive program works with local teachers to help today’s youth grow into financially responsible, independent adults. Since launching the program in 2012, the bank has conducted more than 1,000 presentations to school districts and community groups.