Make A Difference - Wisconsin and AIM are working on a partnership
On
Friday, January 29, 2016, Rachel Kauer and Patrick Rorabeck of Make A Difference–Wisconsin
visited the students in the AIM program. Make A Difference – Wisconsin is an
organization dedicated to empowering teenagers with financial literacy
educational resources and real-world lessons.
Through a network of volunteers
(including students in Marquette University’s AIM program), MAD-Wisconsin has
been tirelessly working to build stronger communities in southern Wisconsin by
helping teens become ‘money smart’.
Over the
past decade, Make A Difference – Wisconsin programs have evolved and grown into
a series of successful, measurable and timely lessons that prepare
16-to-18-year olds on a range of real-life money matters before they enter
adulthood.
This school year MAD-Wisconsin plans to reach more than 8,000 students
through their vision of improved teenage financial education shared by 700
dedicated volunteers, more than 85 schools and youth organizations, and
thousands of community-minded supporters.
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| Rachel Kauer, Make A Difference - Wisconsin |
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| Pat Rorabeck and Rachel Kauer in the AIM Room |
Meeting
with the AIM students was Rachel Kauer (Program Manager at Make A Difference –
Wisconsin), who is responsible for connecting high schools in need of financial
literacy programming with experienced volunteers from the business community in
presenting their interactive Money Sense program.
Using an activity-based
curriculum, and adding to it real-world stories and experiences, volunteers have
been successful in bringing to life key concepts such as budgeting, saving and
credit. The result is measurable behavioral change, leading to a brighter
future for our youth.
Patrick Rorabeck (Program Director) also presented information about a possible partnership between Make A Difference – Wisconsin and the AIM program. He focuses on MAD-Wisconsin’s Money Coach program, which focuses on establishing savings goals, life goals and preparing teens to transition to living independently as a young adult.
Patrick Rorabeck (Program Director) also presented information about a possible partnership between Make A Difference – Wisconsin and the AIM program. He focuses on MAD-Wisconsin’s Money Coach program, which focuses on establishing savings goals, life goals and preparing teens to transition to living independently as a young adult.
Mr. Rorabeck has
identified areas where the AIM students can work to help create an ‘Investments
101’ module that can be layered on to the MAD-Wisconsin curriculum.
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| Joanne Wycklendt |
Over 30
students attended the MAD-Wisconsin / AIM program open house at Marquette – and
the response rate of likely volunteers was impressive. Special thanks to Joanne Wycklendt (a current AIM program student) for her efforts with Make A Difference and in arranging for this opportunity.
We will work with
MAD-Wisconsin this semester to establish an afternoon where students from a local high school
can visit the AIM program. We will provide them with an opportunity to learn more about Marquette University and our students
decision to study finance. It is expected that the event will take place on a
Friday afternoon this April. (Stay tuned for further details).
