A look at financial literacy workshop presented by Florence Bank through the Athena Interactive Literacy Program.
Florence Bank continues to emphasize the importance of financial security to young women through the Athena Interactive Literacy Program by presenting an education workshop focused on financial literacy.
The Athena Interactive Literacy Program is a week-long program for pregnant and parenting teens to help build their reading and writing skills, and at the same time explore healthy eating and cooking. The young mothers in the program currently attend The Care Center in Holyoke. At the Center, they work toward attaining their G.E.D. (General Educational Development)certifications so that they can then attend college. Athena supplements the studies of these young women, providing a dynamic week of exploration that moves beyond test taking to help them discover the joy of being a student.
The program also offers a financial literacy component, to help increase the young women’s understanding of their economic situation and empower them to make informed choices to improve their present and long-term financial well-being. For the third year, Shelley Daughdrill, Branch Manager of Florence Bank’s Amherst office, guided the financial literacy workshop. Daughdrill was able to answer the participant’s questions, such as how a credit score works, the importance of paying bills on time and keeping within a budget.
David Mazor, Founding Executive Director, Reader to Reader, Inc. and The Athena Program said, “The young ladies really enjoyed the workshop and the feedback I received was very positive. Teen mothers are faced with many challenges including managing their personal finances, and the Florence Bank workshop is a great connector for them not only on the importance of budgeting, but also how banks can be a great resource for meeting their financial needs. Because of Shelley Daughdrill and Florence Bank, these young women now have a solid foundation to build their financial future.”
John F. Heaps, Jr., President and CEO of Florence Bank, said, “We are very pleased to partner with the Athena Program and support the services they provide to the teenagers. It’s gratifying to be able to assist these young women by providing the necessary financial skills they can use in their everyday lives.” Heaps added, “Strong, healthy families are the building blocks for strong, healthy communities.”
About Florence Bank
Florence Bank is a mutually-owned savings bank chartered in 1873. Currently, the Bank serves the Pioneer Valley through 9 full-service branch locations in Florence, Northampton, Easthampton, Williamsburg, Amherst, Hadley, Belchertown and Granby as well as through 27 ATMs and a loan production office in West Springfield. Florence Bank offers a wide range of financial services including investment management through FSB Financial Group (FSBFG) to consumers and businesses. John F. Heaps Jr. is the Bank’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Main headquarters are at 85 Main Street, Florence, MA 01062. For additional information about the Bank or its services please visit www.florencebank.com or call 413-586-1300.
