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Schwab volunteers are helping to improve financial literacy in their local communities. Whether it's teaching teens the award-winning Money Matters: Make It Count curriculum at Boys and Girls Clubs across the country, or giving Schwab MoneyWiseTM workshops in local schools and community centers, our employees are making a difference.
Employees who work more than 30 hours a week receive eight hours of paid "Time to Volunteer" each year, with half of the time earmarked for financial literacy projects.
Boys & Girls Clubs
In Austin, TX, a team of Schwab employees hosted "Money Matters Jeopardy!" for 27 teens who had completed the fall course of Money Matters: Make It Count.
Mike Mullett, a board member and volunteer at Austin BGCA, said: "I get a lot of personal satisfaction when I see the light go on in a kid. I felt they got a real handle on what credit is, the risks, pitfalls and needs."
In Long Beach, CA, financial consultants Shelley Kuehnert and Myhanh Hoskin delivered Schwab MoneyWise presentations during Schwab Volunteer Week.
"What we hoped we could do is empower them with knowledge so they wouldn't perpetuate the cycle of uninformed management of their personal finances," Hoskin said. "Many had no idea how long it would take to pay off a credit card with just the minimum payment. They were floored when they found out how much money it took to pay it off."
Junior Achievement
In Orlando, 25 Schwab volunteers presented "JA in a Day" to Tangelo Park Elementary School.
"This was my first Volunteer Week experience at Schwab," said team member Christina Aguinaldo. "I am so grateful I had the opportunity to reach out to the community. The children were so enthusiastic and appreciative of all the Schwab volunteers."
Added Marie Nugent: "We brought hope and fun to the children, but they gave us so much more."
In Colorado, employees are involved with JA in a number of ways. Through an annual bowl-a-thon, they raise money for Junior Achievement Rocky Mountain, Inc., but volunteers also put their financial knowledge to good use by partnering with JA in the classroom.
For example, Nick Niehaus began a five-week volunteer teaching series at a local elementary school, taking to fourth-graders about the building blocks of commerce. "I'm passionate about working with local youth and teaching them the importance of being financially savvy, and JA does a fantastic job of bringing financially related curriculum to the classroom," he said.
Schwab MoneyWise
 The Schwab MoneyWise program helps teens, families, and financial novices of all ages learn the basics of money management.
In Phoenix, 25 Schwab employees volunteered in the Employment Service Department of Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS). Among their tasks was presenting a Schwab MoneyWise presentation to adult CASS clients to help them better manage their finances. Afterward, Schwab employees were paired with CASS clients to discuss career development and job search skills.
In Indianapolis, volunteers used the materials to deliver financial literacy presentations to students at St. Thomas Aquinas School during Schwab Volunteer Week.
"Our MoneyWise program is an excellent way to educate students about starting early and understanding the basics of goal-setting, budget, credit and investments," said volunteer Jane Hemauer. "One student who had seen our presentation last year was able to save enough money to purchase a riding lawn mower, which is now allowing him to mow lawns in his neighborhood to earn more income."
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