Contributed by Tate Cain | Grayson County Technology Center, KY
The student leaders of Grayson County DECA's Financial Literacy Project, FinanceU, are tackling intergenerational poverty in rural Kentucky through interactive workshops and creative events that encourage participants to strive for financial success. FinanceU envisions a future where everyone possesses the financial knowledge and confidence to shape their prosperity regardless of location or background.
We are dedicated to bridging the gap in financial literacy by providing tailored programs that meet the unique needs of rural communities. Through partnerships with local schools, community organizations and digital outreach initiatives, we deliver engaging educational resources and hands-on workshops, empowering residents to make informed financial decisions, break cycles of financial insecurity and thrive in an ever-changing economy.
We began our project in May of 2024 to build partnerships with esteemed institutions and create workshops that appeal to youth and help them become engaged in financial topics such as budgeting, planning for post-secondary education plans, reading pay stubs, investing in health and automobile insurance and more!
FinanceU recognizes that most students in Grayson County are economically disadvantaged and believes we can change that statistic by investing time and energy into each student's future. So far, FinanceU has reached nearly 25,000 people on Instagram, hosted multiple guest speakers, developed multiple business liaisons and taught over 200 students.
"This project has made me realize that financial literacy is more than just education; it is about building lives led by leadership, success and relief. Living in a rural Kentucky community, I have seen the dangerous effects of intergenerational poverty. Students are eager to improve their lives and break the never-ending cycle of living paycheck-to-paycheck. We believe that education is the key to ending this, and our programs provide the perfect opportunity for students to delve into their personal finances." - Tate Cain
