YOUTH
FINANCIAL LITERACY CAMP
Hopi Credit
Association
For Hopi - By Hopi
On August 7, 2009, the Hopi Credit Association (HCA) completed the first ever Youth Financial Literacy Camp. HCA received a grant from the First Nations Development Institute to support the efforts to bring financial education to the youth of our Hopi community. This was a week-long camp that included youth ages 14-18 years old. A maximum of 15 participants were recruited and 14 completed the camp. We had a long waiting list of disappointed youth that were not able to participate this year.
The financial literacy camp helped youth understand concepts such as goal setting, budgeting, the local economy, checking & savings accounts and understanding credit. Several guest speakers were invited to the camp. Mr. Stanford Lomakema spoke to the youth about how budgeting and entrepreneurship plays a role in our Hopi tradition. Mr. Tommy Canyon from the Kykotsmovi Village Store spoke about the importance of supporting our local economy. Ms. Virginia Sangster, a representative from Wells Fargo came to talk about budgeting, credit, and gave the youth information about student checking and savings accounts.
Activities included goal setting posters where participants developed goals for the future and put them on poster boards to help remind them each day of what they are working towards. Budget activities included developing a budget based on the lifestyle each participant wanted to live and then they were given a job, children and life situations that affected their ideal lifestyle. Each participant had to change their budget to fit their new situations. Youth were encouraged to speak to their families about what they learned each day and to pass the information along. Participants were given a “Building Native Communities – Financial Skills for Families” workbook, resources to help them in the future and a check for $50.00 to help begin a savings account.
Participants for the 2009 Financial Literacy Camp were Brooke Namoki, Anthony Montero, Lomauhyie Nevayaktewa, Robyn Kayquoptewa, D.J. Russell, Holly Lomatska, Sabrina Kyasyousie, Rochelle Namingha, Keri Lomayaktewa, Shawna Kyasyousie, Raejean Honie, Desiree Torivio, Ronald Laban and Clydene Honyouti.
Plans for another Financial Literacy Camp to be held next summer are in the works. The Hopi Credit Association currently provides financial education to adults as well as youth. Each year classes are held for the general public or can be requested for a specific group or program. If you would like more information on the camp or adult classes, please contact Alissa Charley at (928) 738-2205.
Alissa Charley
Financial Literacy Trainer
Main Street, Building 4 - PO Box 1259 - Keams Canyon, AZ 86034 - 928 738-2205 - 800 516-9091
(c) Hopi Credit Association 2005 All rights reserved
