by cyprienm

September 13, 2019

Boston Gives Kindergarten Students $50 and a Savings Account on the First Day of School

For most kindergarteners, the first day of school can be exciting. Officials in Boston, however, made that day even more memorable by giving every kindergarten student in a public school a savings account with $50.

The new program, named Boston Saves, was announced Monday. It’s an expansion of a three-year pilot program that is devoted to helping children save money for their future college and career. The way it works is that the students are automatically enrolled in an online savings account. The best part is that they can use this account after graduating high school or once they have completed their GED, allowing them to accumulate money to be able to go to college, open a small business, and other goals.

“Boston Saves has proven to be an essential part of providing families with the tools to save for their children’s post-secondary future,” said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh in a statement. “I am pleased to announce the citywide expansion of Boston Saves, providing more families with these resources and strengthening the investment we are making in Boston’s youth.”

According to Fox Business, Boston Saves began in 2016 in 11 schools. Due to its growth, the organization expects to go statewide by the year 2020. In addition, parents are also encouraged to link their own accounts to their child’s savings account similar to a 529 college savings plan. The organization has various suggestions for deposits ranging from $20 to $25 a year, encouraging parents to continue saving or even just evaluate it with their child. The ultimate goal of Boston Saves is to educate and encourage families to make smart decisions about financial planning.

“This school year, we’re celebrating the full-scale launch of a great program called Boston Saves,” added Mayor Walsh. “Through Boston Saves, kindergartners are automatically set up with a savings account for college and career training.”

by cyprienm

September 11, 2019

Korey Wise of the Exonerated Five Gives Back for Back to School

Korey Wise, one of the Exonerated Five, once known as the Central Park Five, is continuing his work as an activist—this time with back-to-school inspiration and resources for the children of his hometown.

Wise’s particular case was quite devastating. For one, he was the oldest of the Exonerated Five, therefore he was questioned without a parent or guardian, making him vulnerable to the officers and prosecutors. When he went to jail, he was forced to be with adult criminals, causing him to endure more than a decade of abuse and suffering.

 

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Chilling Harlem Kids 😊

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Although Wise’s story, told in When They See Us,  is a hard one to listen to, the good news is that he and his fellow defendants have been released and are doing good things. Wise recently took time to go to Schomburg Plaza to distribute backpacks and school supplies, helping children in the community get ready for their first day of school. The school supply giveaway was sponsored by Friends of Public Schools Harlem according to Amsterdam News.

The event overall was a huge success with more than 200 families receiving backpacks and school supplies. Not to mention, the children were able to leave happy and fully prepared to start the new school year.

 

 

Wise was also pleased with the amazing turn out. “It was great to be back at Schomburg Plaza where I grew up and give something back to today’s children,” he told Amsterdam News. “Being here and providing school supplies helps students start the school year better prepared to succeed and sends a message that somebody cares. It was great to see the smiles from parents and children. I thank the Friends of Public Schools Harlem and the Migdol Family for making it happen.”

Besides giving back to the community he grew up in, what’s more inspiring is Wise giving this generation the opportunity to learn, achieve, and rise above the limits set before them.