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Building Financial Confidence in the New Year
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Happy New Year from Financial Beginnings! We are starting the year energized by the momentum growing across classrooms and communities. From equipping educators to lead financial education in their own schools, to introducing money concepts to our youngest learners, to empowering volunteers to expand access in new ways, this work is moving us forward. It reflects our commitment to building practical skills, strengthening local capacity, and reaching people at every stage of life.
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1. Investing in Educators. Advancing Community Education.
Financial Beginnings staff recently led educator training in Everett and Vancouver, strengthening school-based financial education by equipping teachers to lead this work themselves. In Everett, we trained over 20 elementary teachers and two district administrators, activating educator accounts for every participant! The 90-minute training, organized through the Financial Education Public-Private Partnership. introduced educators to the Footings curriculum and demonstrated how Financial Beginnings integrates financial education into existing classrooms, empowering teachers as long-term leaders and multipliers of impact within their districts.
In Vancouver, the momentum continued beyond the classroom, with educators connecting us to their school’s Family Resource Center to explore future parent and family programming. This organic expansion reflects our approach: building sustainable, community-rooted financial education that reaches learners at every stage.
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2. FB Gives Back. Early Learning in Tillamook County
Giving back starts early. This month Financial Beginnings partnered with Tillamook Early Learning to bring financial education into preschool classrooms. Volunteer and FB employee Ryan Weber led hands-on lessons that helped young learners explore needs versus wants saving and making smart choices through fun age-appropriate activities.
By introducing money concepts early we help build confidence and decision-making skills that last a lifetime. We’re grateful to Tillamook Early Learning for welcoming us into their classrooms and to Ryan for helping make financial education engaging joyful and accessible for even our youngest learners.
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3. Ambassador Program: Expand Access. Deepen Impact.
Our Volunteer Ambassador Program empowers financial professionals to take the lead in bringing financial education to their communities. As an Ambassador. you don’t have to wait for a classroom assignment. You create your own opportunities to volunteer. build partnerships. and deliver free financial education where it’s needed most.
Ambassadors use their expertise and professional networks to expand access to Financial Beginnings programs while earning volunteer hours or CRA credit. Along the way they join a national network of financial professionals championing financial education and strengthening communities from the ground up.
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The CEO’s Corner: Real Talk on Money
Monthly perspective and practical advice from our CEO Ronecca Norvell
Financial education — anytime, anywhere.
Did you know Financial Beginnings offers a free online learning platform designed to make personal finance more accessible? Whether you're a student, adult learner, or educator looking for supplemental tools, FB Online lets you explore key financial topics at your own pace.
Topics include:
• Budgeting & Saving
• Credit & Debt
• Investing Basics
• Income & Taxes
• Risk Management & Insurance
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Oliver Whiting
This month we’re celebrating Oliver Whiting, a volunteer whose commitment is helping transform financial education across Tillamook County in Oregon. Oliver has stepped up in a remarkable way taking on every single January class scheduled in the region. Over five straight weeks he’ll facilitate six classes reaching 270 learners. a level of support that is making a real difference for local partners and families.
Oliver is teaching weekly at Helping Hands Reentry Center where residents in transitional housing are building skills for stability and independence.
He also signed on to deliver the full Spanish SAFE series at the Tillamook County Library and didn’t hesitate to offer to teach the English series too. His willingness to show up wherever he’s needed has been a major driver of the momentum we’re seeing in the county.
Thanks to Oliver we’re well on our way to doubling last year’s reach in Tillamook County and we couldn’t be more grateful for his leadership, dedication, and love for the community!
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