Opportunity Passport® is a Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative program at the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and is the the gold standard of financial management programs for young adults who grew up in foster care. Voices is proud to be the first independent organization authorized to deliver the program. In 2020, Voices teamed up with United Way Suncoast and Ready for Life, a skill-based learning center serving young adults who are making the difficult transition out of foster care and into independent living. Young adults are matched with a Ready for Life mentor and complete a financial literacy training. Upon completion of the course, participants are paired with a United Way Suncoast Financial Coach with a financial background to help them put the skills they’ve learned into action. The program also matches participants’ savings dollar for dollar up to $3,000 for assets like vehicles, housing and other tools that help maintain stability at work and school. Here’s a closer look at the program:
1. Financial Literacy Training
3. $3,000 in Matched Savings to Buy Assets
Young people purchase vehicles, put deposits on housing, start their own businesses, start retirement savings accounts, repair their credit history, pay off medical debt and more with the program. Here’s an example of how Von used her savings match to purchase a car to get to work and school:
Thanks to the Morningstar Foundation, young adults receive a $100 stipend to open a bank and account and seed their savings. Participants can also receive $40 stipends for completing routine surveys and bonuses for participating in speaking engagements. One of the most competitive and highly coveted prizes is the Financial Flurry Award, a special treat sent directly to the house of the person who’s homework gets the most votes. Here’s Mimi, our first winner!
Interested in joining Opportunity Passport as a young adult, mentor, financial coach or other supporter? Do you have questions about the program? Let us know!
READY TO HELP?
CHANGE A LIFE TODAY
Get in touch
Address
8550 Ulmerton Road,
Suite 255, Largo, FL 33771
Phone
(727) 582-3609
info@suncoastvoices.org
Follow us on social media