Make A Difference - Wisconsin, Inc.
December 2009
Connection$
An e-newsletter for MAD-WI volunteers and friends

OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS












Elizabeth A. Brinn Foundation

Evinrude Foundation

Steigleder Charitable Trust








Baird logo

ANON
Charitable Trust









NMF logo

Stackner Family Foundation


Weiss Family Foundation

Stella H. Jones Foundation 

Helfaer Foundation













GMAR logo

Dublin Contractors Logo




Mosher Family Foundation

Contribute to Change

Donate to MAD-WI and help give area youth the tools they need to make sound financial decisions. DONATE HERE!
Meet a MAD-WI Volunteer

An interview with Mikal Gilliat, MAD-WI volunteer, and Marketing Director for Brewery Credit Union (click here).


Community Shares Logo
A Special Message from Lloyd. . .

I find it difficult to believe that a year has passed since I sat down to compose a Make A Difference - Wisconsin update and year-end greeting.  Clearly it has been a tumultuous 12 months in our economy.  But I am most pleased to share with you that it has been a year of accomplishment and growth for MAD-WI.
 
We have signed on 600 volunteers, delivered the program in 60 schools, and reached close to 13,000 students - all in a little over three years!  And, we know the program is making a difference.  The behavioral-focused outcomes research completed during the 2008/2009 school year shows the impact we're making.  Of the students we surveyed who completed the program:
 
  • 24% opened a savings account;
  • 48% are trying to save money every month;
  • 64% are staying away from check cashing stores; and
  • 69% are sharing what they've learned with family and friends.
I hope your computer screen reflects the smile that should be on your face.  Without your support, participation, and special effort none of this would have been possible.  And it certainly would not have happened without our dedicated board of directors and our phenomenal staff: Brenda Campbell, Kathie Yaeger, and our newest addition, Dan Schiller.
 
But, please remember that accomplishment and recognition also opens doors.  We have the opportunity to reach more students and serve more schools but for the lack of funds.  You can make a big difference by finding a way to support MAD-WI financially.  Our cost per student is an astonishingly low $30.  If each of our volunteers and friends made a year-end contribution of just $100, we could reach an additional 2,000+ students!
 
Regardless of your ability to make a financial contribution, please accept my sincere thanks for your involvement.  And, what is more important, understand that together we are making a difference in our community!
 
Please also accept my heartfelt wish for a joyous, healthy and happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year for you and your family.  May 2010 see a world closer to peace, more of our brave troops home with their loved ones, and progress on the road to economic recovery for our great country.
 
Very sincerely,

Lloyd

Lloyd Levin
Make A Difference - Wisconsin
Founder & President

Bill Hotz Pic

Passion for financial literacy fuels Board member's career - and now, his retirement.


A career as a financial institution regulator and legal counsel for financial institutions has given MAD-WI Board member, Bill Hotz a unique perspective on the need to improve consumers' financial awareness.  Bill had a hand in developing some of the country's first financial disclosure regulations and recognizes that today there is still a pressing need to educate consumers about personal finance.  Read more....


Impact!   

Bill Hotz Pic
Make A Difference - WI completed an outcomes evaluation pilot-study that goes beyond measuring information retention; it shows learning in action by identifying financially responsible behaviors that students exhibit after participating in the MAD-WI program.
Read the report...
 

Lloyd Levin and MPS Superintendent

MAD-WI Founder and Board President, Lloyd Levin. presents Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools, William G. Andrekopoulos, with an appreciation award for his continued support for MAD-WI programming and championing of financial literacy.   
Appreciation

On September 15, 2009 MillerCoors hosted the third annual Make A Difference - Wisconsin Appreciation Reception. There was an impressive turn-out and it was fantastic to see donors, supporters, volunteers, educators, and MAD-WI Board members together socializing and sharing their program experiences. (Click here for pics).  
Make A Difference - Wisconsin, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to enrich the community by empowering students to make sound financial decisions.  MAD-WI engages volunteers from the local business and professional community in the delivery of financial education in high school classrooms. 

For more information, please visit the MAD-WI website at www.makeadifferencewisconsin.org