Financial Stability Training (FIT) Starts in February

$150,000 in net new assets following Financial Stability Training over the past 5 years! Financial Stability (FIT Academy) works, and will be following FDIC Curriculum. All Online - ZOOM.

“What is CHARACTER?” The question resounded daily, in every classroom, throughout the program. Please come back as we will continue to update you on the ongoing program and student accomplishments.

“What is CHARACTER?”The question resounded daily, in every classroom, throughout the program. “CHARACTER is what you do when no one is looking. It defines who you are as a person, and will determine whether or not you can be trusted to make wise decisions for your life, including how you well you handle your finances.”

Describing Financial Independence Training (FIT Academy)

The FIT ACADEMY targets participants between the ages of 18-24 years old. In doing so the FYFA Collaborative realizes that these young adults have reached an independent age where they have the authority to choose whether or not they would like to participate in a program such as the FIT ACADEMY. Many of them are in college or working; many have children of their own; and a large percentage of them seem to change residence and contact information on a regular basis. Most of them are in constant survival mode; adapting and evolving to ever changing circumstances, managing new responsibilities, facing and overcoming obstacles and challenges, and desperately trying to define their own unique identity as young adults. Trying to keep up with them, stay connected, and be a guiding force in their lives, has been by far the most difficult task through this entire process. These young adults are so desperate to move away from the system and detach themselves from any sort of ‘institutional mindset’ that reminds them of the past. They want so badly to be independent, make their own decisions, and be pointed in the right direction to become self sufficient. We have noticed that our young adults have grown very close to the Program Consultant of the FIT Academy, that they use him as a life line. When they have problems or challenges, they call the instructor first; before any life coach, social worker, or emancipation coach. They are looking to build a relationship with a mentor who is outside the system and has their best interest at heart. As we look towards the future of FIT ACADEMY, we realize that the choice of educator to the program is crucial to connecting with the youth and fulfilling the role as both teacher and mentor.

Another extremely important lesson learned from the program is the way in which the content is delivered. As previously mentioned, these young adults are at an age where they are free to make their own decisions. They can choose whether to sit through yet another lecture style program that is required of them, and they can also choose whether to be engaged or to drift away into boredom. The educator teaching style is the key element to a successful program, when working with this specific population of young adults. First and foremost, the approach cannot be a LECTURE style learning environment. FIT ACADEMY was never a lecture; it was a conversation that started on the first day, with the young adult at the center of the dialogue. The emphasis was placed on personal CHARACTER at all times.

“What is CHARACTER?”The question resounded daily, in every classroom, throughout the program. “CHARACTER is what you do when no one is looking. It defines who you are as a person, and will determine whether or not you can be trusted to make wise decisions for your life, including how you well you handle your finances.” The result was extraordinary; every young adult seemingly resonated with this statement, and with this reasoning. This emphasis on personal character presented a moral obligation for each student to take a personal responsibility for his or her own decisions. With personal character at the center of the conversation, students remained engaged, participatory, and enthusiastic about the endless possibilities awaiting independence and financial self-sufficiency. We truly believe that a CHARACTER centered approach tied to a conversation-driven teaching style, is the key to engagement, and the product that encouraged youth to save nearly $150,000 during the first 5 years of the program.