Wiss and Team Walker are joining forces again on a summer youth financial literacy program.

Now in its third year, the program kicked off July 9.

The two organizations say the initiative aims to empower young people with real-world financial decision-making skills. To that end, the program employs in-person workshops and gamification activities.

Key things to know:

• Collaboration between full-service accounting and business advisory firm Wiss, headquartered in Florham Park, and Team Walker, a nonprofit organization offering year-round after-school and summer camp programs to underrepresented Jersey City communities
• Five-week program includes twice-weekly presentations at the Team Walker Learning Center in Jersey City
• Participants comprise primarily inner-city youth, ages 11-13
• Learners will engage in real-world money management exercises through fully developed lesson plans. Topics include:
  • Personal finance
  • Managing budgets
  • Taxes
  • Personal banking
  • Building wealth
• Workshops will include interactive games in a simulated environment
• To date, nearly 70 participants have participated in the program

Setting up for success

“My mission has always been to improve the quality of life for the children of Jersey City, and this partnership with Wiss is making a real impact on our community,” said Jerry Walker, co-founder of Team Walker. “By giving our students the tools to understand and manage their finances, we’re setting them up for long-term success.”

“We strongly felt we could put our in-depth industry expertise into practical use with Team Walker to help bridge the gap of the perceived complexities of managing money and investing,” said Paul Peterson, CEO and managing partner at Wiss. “I’m passionate about unleashing the power of the simple principles of investing to provide our youth with a hopeful path.”

Peterson notes that this is one of the several initiatives of Wiss’ financial literacy program – which consists of hands-on learning experiences, strategic partnerships as well as digital education initiatives designed to make financial knowledge accessible to all students. He pointed to a partnership with the New Jersey Devils and EVERFI to host a financial literacy event in Plainfield this past spring.

“We know that when financial education starts early, and is offered in an interactive and engaging format, children can continue building on this knowledge as they grow to foster a brighter financial future,” said Peterson.

Walker added, “So many kids have never had this opportunity – and that’s what makes this program truly special.”