Ascend Youth InitiativeAscend Youth Initiative

Programs

Financial education built session by session

Five programs for youth ages 16–26, from a first budget to paying for education and planning long term. Each one has a full outline, a set of learning outcomes, and materials participants keep. All are offered at no cost.

Introductory6 sessions

Money Foundations

Everyday money skills, taught in plain language

A six-session introduction to the money decisions that come up every week: where income goes, how to keep a cushion, how banking and credit actually work, and how to keep debt from taking over. Every session pairs a short teaching block with hands-on practice using the participant's own numbers.

Length
75 minutes per session
Cadence
One session per week
Group size
8–20 participants
Delivery
In person with a partner host site, or live online
See the full program →
Intermediate5 sessions

Future Ready Finance

Connecting education and career choices to real numbers

A five-session series for young adults choosing between college, trade school, training, and work. Participants compare the cost of each path, learn how financial aid and student loans are structured, read a real pay stub, and walk through the first big adult decisions — housing, transportation, and benefits — with numbers attached.

Length
90 minutes per session
Cadence
One session per week, or two per week as a condensed series
Group size
10–25 participants
Delivery
In person at a school or partner site, or live online
See the full program →
Intermediate4 sessions

Wealth Building Basics

A plain-language introduction to growing money over time

A four-session series for participants who already handle day-to-day budgeting and want to understand long-term growth. Sessions cover how compounding works, what common investment vehicles are, how risk and diversification relate, and how income creation and entrepreneurship fit alongside a job. Educational only — no products, no recommendations.

Length
90 minutes per session
Cadence
One session per week
Group size
10–20 participants
Delivery
In person or live online
See the full program →
All levelsRolling monthly sessions plus mentor office hours

Opportunity Pathways

Scholarships, internships, mentors, and the networks behind them

A rolling program rather than a fixed course: information sessions, mentor office hours, industry conversations, and one-to-one referrals that connect participants to scholarships, internships, and early career exposure. Participants can join a single session or stay connected for ongoing referrals.

Length
60 minutes per session
Cadence
Monthly information sessions; office hours by arrangement
Group size
Up to 30 for sessions, one-to-one for mentoring
Delivery
Live online, with in-person sessions at partner sites
See the full program →
All levels1 session, or a recurring partner series

Financial Wellness Workshops

Standalone sessions built for schools and community partners

Single-session workshops that partner organisations can host inside an existing class period, youth program, or community event. Topics are selected from our core curriculum and adapted to the age group and the time available, with take-home materials for participants and families.

Length
45, 60, or 90 minutes
Cadence
Scheduled with the host organisation
Group size
Up to a full class or group
Delivery
On site at the partner location, or live online
See the full program →

How the work is organized

Our four program pillars

Every program we run sits under one of these pillars.

Financial Literacy & Money Discipline

Workshops, seminars, and training sessions that teach practical financial skills and responsible decision-making.

  • Budgeting, saving, and credit management
  • Multi-session cohorts alongside standalone sessions
  • Pre- and post-session learning assessments
  • Follow-up check-ins on money habits

Financial Education Access

Connecting youth with financial educators, industry professionals, and mentors for structured, real-world learning.

  • Educator-led sessions and industry panels
  • Mentor office hours and cohort mentorship
  • One-to-one guidance from vetted volunteers
  • Confidence and satisfaction feedback

Opportunity Pathways

Access to scholarship information, internships, career exposure, and professional networks that support economic mobility.

  • Scholarship, FAFSA, and student loan sessions
  • Internship and career exposure opportunities
  • Ongoing opportunity referrals
  • Career readiness and planning support

Community Financial Empowerment

Partnering with schools, community organizations, and local leaders to widen financial education across the community.

  • Community-based financial workshops
  • Co-hosted financial education events
  • Sustained school and nonprofit partnerships
  • Partner and participant feedback reviews

Join a cohort

Register for a program

Tell us which program fits you or your group and we'll confirm the next start date and how to join.

Program registration

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