Addition Financial and Community Partners Expand Pre-School Financial Literacy Program

ORLANDO, FL (November 20, 2024) – Addition Financial Credit Union, Orange County Public Schools, The Early Learning Coalition of Orange County, and Junior Achievement announced this week that AdventHealth for Children is joining their partnership to help expand the ADDing FUNdamentals Financial Literacy Program. Seven new childcare centers and schools, including 11 new classrooms are being added to the unique financial literacy program for pre-school children. The program now has a total of 15 childcare centers/schools and 25 classrooms.

The ADDing FUNdamentals program, launched as the first of its kind in Central Florida in 2023, has little learners practicing their financial literacy skills in playhouses designed to look like mini-credit unions. The pre-kindergarten students learn how to count money, manage a cash register and exchange play money for goods rendered in the Addition Financial Credit Union “branches.”  

Addition Financial Credit Union provided students with new backpacks filled with materials for students to continue learning at home. The credit union also presented AdventHealth for Children with a check for $15,000 to help provide scholarships for AdventHealth’s West Lakes Early Learning Center.

“It has been rewarding to see the early success and now growth of this program that is a true building block for children beginning their financial journey,” said Kevin Dougherty, Chief Operating Officer of Addition Financial Credit Union and board member of Early Learning Coalition of Orange County. “Putting the financial well-being of our community is a huge part of our mission at Addition Financial, and we are grateful AdventHealth is joining this terrific coalition of partners aiming to do just that.”

ADDing FUNdamentals – A Financial Literacy Program for Preschools uses Junior Achievement’s JA Ourselves curriculum to teach five 30-minute lessons focused on choices, needs versus wants, and giving to a worthy cause. The five lessons are: This or That? Make a Choice; Do I Need What I Want; A Penny Earned; A Penny Saved; A Penny Shared. The JA trained classroom teacher will reinforce the learning objectives throughout the year.

“Our mission is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed and empower them to own their economic future. Early education is incredibly important for young learners, especially financial literacy. Not only to develop an understanding of dollars, cents, wants and needs, but to develop a positive relationship with money that empowers them as they grow into independence,” said Kate Hammond, Vice President of Education, Junior Achievement of Central Florida. 

 The ADDing FUNdamentals program is now being implemented in these 11 new classrooms:

• AdventHealth for Children West Lakes Early Learning Center: 2 new classrooms 
  • 600 S. Dollins Ave., Orlando, FL 32805 
• Conway Learning Center: 3 new classrooms
  • 3636 E. Michigan St., Orlando, FL 32806 
• Early Education Station: 1 new classroom
  • 6549 Old Winter Garden Road, Orlando, FL 32835 
• Orange County Public Schools: 5 new classrooms
  • Bonneville Elementary 14700 Sussex Drive, Orlando, FL 32826
  • Eagle’s Nest Elementary 5353 MetroWest Blvd, Orlando, FL 32811
  • Ivey Lane Elementary (Class B) 11701 Ivey Lane, Orlando, FL 32837
  • Lake Silver Elementary 2401 N. Rio Grande Avenue, Orlando, FL 32804
  • Rosemont Elementary (Class A) 4650 Point Look Out Rd, Orlando, FL 32808 

Orange County Public Schools has more than 300 students participating in the program.

“It is exciting to see our young learners make smart financial choices. The simple act of saving to ‘buy’ that high value toy is a real-world life lesson that can impact their lifelong spending habits. Creating savvy givers, savers and spenders is just one way we are leading students to success,” said. Dr. Maria Vazquez, OCPS superintendent. “Our partnerships with the ELCOC, JA and Addition Financial are invaluable to fulfilling our mission. We are grateful for their continued collaboration and support of our schools and innovative programs.”

The West Lakes Early Learning Center’s commitment to early childhood education and development extends beyond the classroom, giving children access to quality health care through AdventHealth for Children, comprehensive social services and extracurricular activities such as gardening, soccer, and tennis. Thanks to Addition Financial, the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County and Junior Achievement, enrolled children will now also have the opportunity to learn about financial literacy.

“We know that the first 2,000 days of a child’s life are the most important for their development and that teaching children about money at an early age can have lifelong and life-changing impacts,” said Alfreda Clark, director of the West Lakes Early Learning Center.

The ELCOC secured funding to provide the playhouses, cash registers, and educational toys for students to purchase with their earnings. “The Early Learning Coalition of Orange County is honored to collaborate on this important initiative. Teaching young children about saving, spending and sharing helps them understand money management at an early age. This will help prepare them for financial independence and informed decision-making as they grow older,” said Dr. Scott Fritz, Chief Executive Officer of ELCOC.