Big Futures partnership with Junior Achievement teaches young adults crucial financial skills for adulthood
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana’s Big Futures program hosted a Financial Education Pillar Event for participants on Thursday, Jan. 16th at the Goodwill Opportunity Center in West Louisville, focusing on topics that many of our mentees have been eager to learn about—car buying and credit cards.
With 21 participants attending in person and 2 joining virtually, the event provided valuable financial knowledge and fostered peer connections that will serve our mentees well in their journey toward adulthood.
Driving Financial Success
We were thrilled to welcome Lori Hadom-Disselkamp, Community Outreach Program Manager from Junior Achievement (JA), as our guest presenter. Lori guided our participants through the essential factors to consider when purchasing a car, addressing a highly requested topic among our mentees who are working toward obtaining their permits and driver’s licenses.
To complement Lori’s presentation, we also provided a financial deep dive into the obligations associated with purchasing a car—or any major expense. Through an engaging PowerPoint presentation, we covered topics such as credit scores, credit cards, and the long-term financial impact of big purchases. Many of our mentees found this information so valuable that they requested copies of the PowerPoint to explore further, reinforcing the importance of financial literacy in their personal growth.
Building Connections and Leadership
Beyond financial education, the event was designed to foster community and peer engagement. Thanks to the support of the CE&S Foundation, we incorporated a dynamic team-building activity that encouraged collaboration and leadership among our participants. As Big Futures continues to emphasize mentorship and peer support, events like these help our students take on leadership roles and build meaningful connections with one another.
And of course, no event is complete without good food! Our participants enjoyed a delicious meal from Zaxby’s, making the learning experience even more enjoyable.
Impact That Matters
The success of the event was reflected in the feedback from our mentees:
82% shared that they learned something new.
100% of participants found the topics relevant and helpful for their future.
75% felt more connected to their peers because of the event.
These results reaffirm the importance of our Big Futures programming in equipping young people with essential life skills. As we continue to grow and enhance our financial education offerings, we remain committed to empowering our mentees with the knowledge and confidence they need to make informed financial decisions.
Stay tuned for more exciting Big Futures events, and thank you to everyone who made this session a success!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana’s office at the West Louisville Goodwill Opportunity Center was made possible by support from the Brown-Forman Foundation. Learn more about their work at brownformanfoundation.org.