Moneythink harnesses the power of mentorship to teach Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship to urban high school students.
Students learn the value of saving, budgeting, goal-setting and the basics of credit and debt. As they progress to our entrepreneurship program, students also learn leadership and teamwork as they build companies designed to innovate their school environment. What makes Moneythink different is our emphasis on mentorship. Our trained undergraduates work with the same group of students through the length of the entire program, building trust and friendship as they transcend the age barrier and develop a culture of equality. Mentors focus not merely on teaching content, but on developing constructive class discussions and pushing each individual to reach their goals. Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship are not about facts, but about changing a student’s outlook. We believe this can only happen through a basis of friendship and trust. Moneythink is a 501(c)3 organization run entirely by college students.
The Moneythink Method
Organizing Positive Change
Moneythink sends highly-trained college mentors to local classrooms to deliver financial literacy and entrepreneurship training. We use a discussion format that to encourage student participation that reinforces learning. The Moneythink Curricula focuses on important topics and we uses immediately relevant pop culture examples and analogies to make the content relatable.
Through peer-mentoring, students learn the importance of fi nancial responsibility and entrepreneurial resourcefulness. The Moneythink co-curricular model of fi nancial life skills and entrepreneurship features lessons on credit, debt, saving, marketing, decision-making, and hands-on project management. Mentors engage and educate students through computer research activities, pop-culture case study discussions and venture brainstorms. The focus of each class is to create a meaningful entrepreneurial project. This is an enriching opportunity to apply lessons learned and collaborate with classmates to launch a venture together. Through “Moneythinking,” students not only gain practical business skills, but they also become leaders experienced in critical thinking and public speaking. Moneythink is a 501(c)(3) non-pro fit organization run by college undergraduates.
The Moneythink program is co-curricular
Our mentors teach during the school day. We generally start with one class period per school, but have almost always expanded as administrators realize the value of the program. Our mentors also provide a vital support network for program participants. Mentors edit college application essays, help students set and achieve goals, root for their students at their competitions, games and events, and watch them graduate. This extra effort helps form strong bonds of trust necessary for effective mentorship. The peer-mentorship model, relatable materials and practical skill building set Moneythink apart from other organizations.