The H.L. Neblett Community Center is giving children a chance to be CFOs, CEOs and consumers of their own organizations as they learn the world of business.
The Neblett Center is partnering with Truist Bank, Junior Achievement, and the Daviess County Public Library for the program.
The partnership came together after Executive Director Keith Cottoner said that his daughter participated in a similar program while in Louisville, and he wanted to see if it was possible to introduce the same factors to the students in Owensboro.
They had 19 students in the community sign up and begin the 5-week long financial literacy program.
Autumne Baker, Vice President of Area Operations for Junior Achievement, is doing weekly programming with the students on different areas within the finance and consumer agency.
While they’re learning, the students spend time making decisions as CEOs, CFOs, marketing directors, sales managers, and ultimately the consumer.
“Maybe none of these kids will aspire to be any of those things, but I think it’s great because it does show them some of the activities that are part of the simulation are things that they will be doing in the real world or even at school,” Baker said.
The 19 students spend half of their time on online modules with JA Biztown Adventures, where they cover debit and credit cards, ethics and various employment positions. The other half of time time is spent talking to key speakers from Truist Bank.
Angie Morrison, Market President at Truist Bank, noted that the industry is transitioning to more and more online banking and operations, so many families no longer enter the brick-and-mortar locations. Truist wanted to provide and chance for the kids to see what’s behind the bank walls.
“They amaze me with some of the questions that they’ve been able to ask and the things that they want to do when they grow up. I hope that we’re going to be able to give back to them and an opportunity to think about something different and go into the finance world,” Morrison said.
All of the leaders involved have enjoyed seeing the way they the students process the information.
Baker said that the students were often fascinated by the behind-the-scenes of what goes into making decisions as a marketer.
At DCPL, Manager of Community Jarrod McCarty said they are glad to provide the students with an experience in the library that may not be available to them otherwise.
“It fits right in with what our mission is going forward, especially with all the organizations here,” he said. “Education is a focal point for all of us.”
