CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. (WLNE) — Financial freedom is the goal for the eighth graders at Calcutt Middle School in Central Falls.
State treasurer James Diossa is teaming up with Fidelity and Navigant Credit Union to create a new program designed to give kids some real-life money skills.
Families are included in the process too.
“Learning how to do that, learning how to invest, how to save, building that generational wealth,” said Angélica Infante-Green, Rhode Island Commissioner of Education.
“The amazing thing is that this program happens in the classroom but the will be workshops for parents as well.”
The program offers real world exposure to local banking and financial services with tools like virtual stock tickers in classroom.
Students will be able to navigate, observe and analyze stocks on a regular basis.
Students will also be learning how to achieve financial goals through budgeting and investing.
Treasurer Diossa, who is a Central Falls native, hopes this becomes a statewide program.
“Central Falls being a high low-income community. Once we’re done in Central Falls, we can easily bring this to Woonsocket, Pawtucket, elsewhere, and have a greater impact on financial literacy,” said treasurer Diossa.
“This is focused on involving entire families to make better financial decisions. This is a crucial step forward to foster breaking financial insecurities that exist in underserved communities.”
This program will continue throughout the year for these middle school students.
