Teaching Teens About Money: Teen Earns Scholarship and Advocates for Financial Literacy

Eastwood Y., a high school senior from Germantown, Maryland, was named the 2021 National Money Matters Ambassador from Charles Schwab Foundation and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. He received a $5,000 scholarship for his college education.

As ambassador for the Money Matters: Make it Count program, Eastwood will advocate for early financial literacy to help teens across the nation expand their knowledge of money management – things like budgeting, saving and investing, critical skills for kids and teens to learn. Now in its 17th year, the Money Matters program teaches the basics of personal finance and the importance of an early start to financial responsibility.

“Before participating in the Money Matters financial program at my Club, I was nervous to ask for advice about saving money for important milestones like college… Money Matters has taught me to be self-sufficient as I grow my income and to be confident in my financial decisions. I am grateful to Charles Schwab Foundation for my scholarship and the opportunity to help my peers begin their journey to a great financial future.”

Eastwood attends the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington in Germantown, Maryland, and he is president of the student council at Clarksburg High School where he was also a member of numerous academic honor societies. At his Boys & Girls Club, he was president of a leadership and service program for teens and selected as the 2021 Youth of the Year for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington. Following high school graduation, he plans to study politics and economics at American University.

Money Matters was revised last year with the latest financial insights and tips to better engage and inspire teens. The refreshed curriculum includes 22 lessons for a classroom setting, digital resources and an interactive, group experience that encourages teens to examine how financial decisions impact their future selves. The Money Matters program teaches lessons on budgeting, saving, goal-setting and other behaviors that can lead to career readiness, lifelong financial stability and overall success.

In addition to Eastwood, 10 other Boys & Girls Club teens will receive $2,500 scholarships for their outstanding personal finance leadership skills.

• Benjamin S., Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota (Sarasota, Florida)
• Iman S., Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
• Ger L., Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
• Butoyi O., Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
• Anya R., Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
• Meng M., Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
• Tyler A., Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida (Orlando, Florida)
• Uchenna A., Boys & Girls Clubs of Carson (Carson, California)
• Rainaleen L., Boys & Girls Clubs of Carson (Carson, California)
• Daniela P., Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley (Canoga Park, California)

Through Money Matters, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Charles Schwab Foundation have awarded $640,000 in scholarships to Boys & Girls Club teens.