Des Moines 21st Century Afterschool Program Awarded Financial Literacy Grant from State Farm

Middle school students who participate in the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21CCLC) afterschool program will learn how to manage their money as well as educate their peers about finance thanks to a $51,430 grant awarded by State Farm®.

A financial literacy curriculum will be implemented this year at all seven middle schools where the 21CCLC afterschool program currently exists. Iowa Student Loan will provide assistance to implement the program.

Students in the 21CCLC program will incorporate what they learn about managing finances by creating short videos to be shown to all seventh graders in Des Moines Public Schools. In addition, students will work with teachers to translate the videos into Spanish. They will host Family Nights to share the videos with ELL families in their school communities.

“Research shows financial literacy should begin at an early age, and that low income families have a great need for financial literacy skills,” said Heidi Brown, 21CCLC project coordinator. “We are thrilled to have this opportunity for our students to learn the importance of managing their finances and be able to teach others how to do the same.”

The 21CCLC program has been in existence since 2007 and provides academic assistance, educational enrichment and family literacy to students and families at Brody Middle School, Callanan Middle School, Goodrell Middle School, Hoyt Middle School, McCombs Middle School, Meredith Middle School, and Weeks Middle School. The program is funded by a grant from the Iowa Department of Education.

State Farm supports school-based service-learning because it promotes excellence in public schools. The State Farm Youth Advisory Board, made up of 30 students from across the United States and Canada, is leading this movement. State Farm pledges $5 million per year to this signature philanthropic initiative to address issues important to State Farm and communities across the United States and Canada.