Goal Card Program

For the past two years, RISE has worked with  juniors and seniors in Memphis zip code 38126 by helping them to not only  think  about their careers choices that they plan to pursue, but to financially look at how their career choices will lead them to realize their desired lifestyles.  Most students have only thoughts about what their salaries could be, without consideration of the cost of their education, coupled with the type of lifestyle they want for themselves.  Never a consideration of whether or not the two are in alignment!

Well, Antonio was one of the students who participated in the event last year, and he learned first-hand that even if you are true to your passion in selecting a career goal, that you better also add up the cost of your education and your dream lifestyle, to see if you will have enough money to cover the cost.  Antonio was not discouraged with what he learned during the one day event, but he definitely wanted to take advantage of scholarship programs and every means necessary to avoid loans or any debts that could have a long term impact on his financial well-being in the future. 

Antonio had already seen others in his community who had taken out loans and received grants during their first two years of college, without completing their course work. Many of them were still left with bills to pay after dropping out of school, which prevented them from returning later when they were more mature and realized that they couldn't get a job without a college degree.  According to Antonio "Planning Your Dreams" helped him focus financially at a time when he was preparing for college and it made he extremely conscious of making wise financial choices during his first year of school. He plans to return to the event again this April, not as a participant but as a spearker,  so that young people can hear first hand from him that "the only way that you can realize your dreams is to work hard and always plan your finances."

This year’s event will occur again in April, 2013, which is the time in which the nation highlights the importance of financial literacy.  RISE will continue to have this annual event and hopes to grow it from year to year so that eventually all 11th and 12th graders in Memphis will be able to attend.