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A Spotlight on Financial Beginnings
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Did you know that students who spend the summer without learning lose two months of grade-level equivalency in mathematics? For this reason, and many more, United Way of Rhode Island focuses on ensuring that Rhode Island's youth remain engaged in their learning, inspired to meet their potential, and prepared to lead productive lives.
To accomplish this, United Way founded the Rhode Island Afterschool Plus Alliance (RIASPA) to support and expand high-quality afterschool and summer learning programs. It's critical to counteract the significant learning losses that many young people experience when they lack access to educational activities while school is out.
One of RIASPA's many successes has been their partnership with Connecting for Children & Families in Woonsocket. Together, they've created the Chillin' & Skillin' Summer Learning Initiative - a six-week program that fosters a love of learning and the significance of financial literacy. Children learn the importance of planning for the future, budgeting, and saving. When asked about his plans, Dylan Paul, 9, was proud to exclaim, "I will save money to pay for my needs and wants, to take my mom on vacation and for kids with cancer."
According to Charlotte Boudreau, Director of Education and School-Linked Services for Connecting for Children & Families, the benefits of these learning opportunities for children are far-reaching. "When kids do well in the classroom and go on to graduate from high school, the quality of their lives is much better. We know that Chillin' & Skillin', and our other afterschool programs, are having a positive impact on our children's futures."
RIASPA is an educational initiative of United Way of Rhode Island and is ensuring that children succeed in school and in life. Together, we're producing outcomes everyone can support.
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