Securing Futures: Habitat’s Youth Financial Literacy Class

Learn how Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County empowers the next generation for a strong financial future.

By Catherine Steck McManus, President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County.

During a time of financial challenges and economic uncertainties, equipping our youth with financial literacy skills is essential. At Habitat for Humanity

Greater Orlando & Osceola County, we are launching a free youth financial literacy class.

Our class aims to empower youth with the necessary knowledge and tools to navigate the world of personal finance successfully. By instilling financial literacy at an early age, we are investing in the long-term financial well-being of our young people and fostering a brighter future.

Habitat Orlando & Osceola’s first youth financial literacy class is June 10 at 1 p.m. at Amazing Church Florida in Kissimmee.

Attendees will learn the following:

■ The importance of budgeting — Budgeting lies at the heart of financial literacy. The class will emphasize the value of budgeting and provide practical tools and techniques for creating and maintaining effective budgets. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of income management, expense tracking, and the importance of allocating funds to reach different financial goals.

■ Navigating student loans — As high schoolers pursue higher education, it’s critical to understand the complexities of student loans. The class will provide valuable insights into different types of student loans, repayment options, and strategies for managing debt.

■ Mastering check writing — Despite the rise of digital payments, check writing remains a fundamental skill in personal finance. Our class will ensure that the next generation is well-versed in writing checks, including understanding the various components, endorsing them correctly, and keeping accurate records.

■ Cultivating healthy spending habits — Finally, participants will explore the difference between needs and wants, understand the psychological aspects of spending, and learn strategies to avoid impulse buying. By promoting conscious and mindful spending, the class aims to instill a sense of financial responsibility and empower young people to make informed purchasing decisions.

By imparting the foundational principles of financial literacy to the next generation, we can contribute to the community more prominently by reducing debt, increasing savings, and building generational wealth. With the guidance provided in this class, the next generation will be better equipped to make informed decisions, overcome financial challenges, and achieve long-term financial freedom and big goals such as homeownership.

To sign your student up for the youth class or learn about 10 other new homeownership and home preservation classes that are now open to the public, visit HabitatOrlando.org.