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Planting Seeds for Financial Futures
Welcome to this month’s edition of The FB Top 3, where we highlight the partnerships, volunteers, and programs helping expand access to financial education across our communities. From celebrating Financial Literacy Month, to growing new partnerships like our work with the Omaha Public Library, this issue reflects the many ways Financial Beginnings continues to reach more learners each year. None of this work happens alone. It is made possible by the dedication of volunteers, the support of partners, and the commitment of communities working together to ensure more people have the knowledge and confidence to build strong financial futures.
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1. Advancing Financial Literacy with Jump$tart
We were honored to be featured by our friends at the Jump$tart Coalition, highlighting the work and impact of Financial Beginnings. In a recent conversation, our team shared what continues to drive this work. A belief that every student deserves access to practical financial knowledge that prepares them for real life.
The feature also spotlighted exciting progress, including our new Educator Training Center, designed to equip teachers with the tools and confidence to deliver financial education in their classrooms. By combining educator-led instruction with our long-standing volunteer model, we are expanding access and creating more sustainable pathways for schools to deliver this essential learning.
We’re proud to stand alongside Jump$tart in advancing a shared vision: ensuring every student graduates with the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions. Thank you to Jump$tart for featuring our work and for highlighting this partnership on your website!
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2. April Means Financial Literacy Month
April is Financial Literacy Month, and Financial Beginnings is celebrating all month long with new ways to build knowledge, confidence, and community. This year, we’re launching 30 Days of Financial Confidence, a series of daily micro-tips designed to make financial education simple, practical, and easy to apply.
Throughout the month, we’ll also be spotlighting the volunteers who power our mission, sharing why they’re passionate about expanding financial literacy, and highlighting the partners who help make this work possible. From volunteer stories to partner profiles, Financial Literacy Month is a chance to showcase the people and organizations driving financial empowerment forward.
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3. Bringing Financial Education to Omaha Libraries
Financial Beginnings is excited to launch a new partnership with the Omaha Public Library. Over the past two months, we’ve hosted two sessions from our SAFE program, bringing practical financial education directly into neighborhood library branches.
Interest from additional branches is already growing, and we’re working with library staff to schedule new classes for the summer. Libraries are trusted community spaces, and this partnership is helping us reach more Omaha residents with the tools and confidence to make informed financial decisions.
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The CEO’s Corner: Real Talk on Money
Monthly perspective and practical advice from our CEO Ronecca Norvell
Big news in the student loan world: With a recent judgement from the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, the SAVE repayment plan will be permanently eliminated. The SAVE plan, created during the Biden administration, offered borrowers the lowest monthly payments of any federal student loan repayment option.
Now the 7 million borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan need to pick a new repayment plan, and fast. And the options aren't as affordable, so it's good to plan now for a change to your payment. If you're one of affected borrowers: don't wait. Use the Federal Student Aid Loan Simulator tool to compare your options and pick a new plan before one gets picked for you.
At Financial Beginnings, we know student debt isn't just about a monthly payment - it informs decisions about whether to buy a home, start a family, or take a lower-paying job you actually love.
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Jamie Steiskal
A big shout-out to Jamie Steiskal, Branch Manager at WaFd Bank in Portland and an outstanding Financial Beginnings volunteer. Over the past few months, Jamie has led two Forward class series supporting women in economically vulnerable situations, including programs at a Salvation Army domestic violence shelter and at Kenton Women’s Village, a community serving women experiencing houselessness.
Jamie’s compassion and commitment have made a powerful impact. As Kenton Women’s Village Manager shared, “Jamie has been amazing. She was incredibly trauma-informed, listened closely to participants’ experiences, and created space for them to share their stories.” Participants valued the sessions so much that the shelter is now exploring offering the classes every six months. Volunteers like Jamie help ensure financial education reaches the communities who need it most. We are grateful for her dedication and the difference she is making across her community.
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