The Breadwinners Academy’s "Books 2 Bread" summer financial literacy program hosted at John Carroll University equipped 20 students with vital financial skills over six weeks. Through a partnership with Y.O.U., each student intern earned a $2,500 stipend upon completion, totaling $50,000 in compensation and scholarships. The curriculum addressed essential financial topics, including saving and budgeting, credit, investing, taxes, and insurance. Each student earned a .5 credit elective for completing the paid internship. Guest speakers from strategic partners enhanced the learning experience by offering professional insights and practical advice.

Week 1: College Readiness

  • FASFA, scholarship search

  • College application

  • Day in the life of a college student

  • Campus tour led by JCU team

Week 2: Saving & Budgeting:  Banking 101

  • Budgeting 101 (learning strategies)

  • Saving Strategies (Pay yourself budgeting method)

  • Field trip to Erie Bank (Woodmere branch)

  • Banking 101

Week 3: Investing & Home Buying

  • Intro to the stock market

  • Investment strategies

  • Fidelity Youth brokerage account ($50 bonus)

Home Buying

  • How to purchase your first home

  • Building wealth through homeownership

  • Renting vs buying

Week 4: Credit

  • All things FICO 

  • Revolving accounts (Credit cards)

  • Installment accounts (Student, auto, home, and personal loans)

  • How to build credit at 18

Week 5: Insurance

  • Car insurance 

  • Auto accident experience 

  • Policy explanation (different types of coverages)

Intro to Banking

  • Checking vs savings

  • Credit cards

  • Tour of PNC Fairfax

Week 6: Career Exploration

  • Tour Chase Bank Innovation Center

  • Banking 101

  • Relationship banking

“I’m very thankful for this opportunity to work with Breadwinners Academy.”
-Summer Thomas, 2024 Summer Program Participant

It’s all about bridging the wealth gap through financial literacy.