Building Financial Foundations: Commitment to Education
At FAIRWINDS, financial wellness is a year-round commitment. Through hands-on volunteering and expert guidance, we’re helping our community build brighter, more secure financial futures.
January is Financial Wellness Month, but at FAIRWINDS, we work year-round to help our community improve their financial health and feel more confident. For FAIRWINDS crewmembers, volunteering their time and expertise to teach financial literacy is more than an opportunity to donate their time; it is also a source of inspiration and personal wellness.
From youth learning the basics of saving and spending to future first-time homebuyers taking important first steps, in the spirit of Financial Awareness Month, here’s how crewmembers have made a collective impact toward the well-being of our community:
Supporting Educational Initiatives
In November, FAIRWINDS Vice President of Training and Development, Celine Belew facilitated holiday-themed courses for Lighthouse Central Florida around important topics including fraud protection, staying out of debt, and saving throughout the year to make heavier spending months more manageable. Lighthouse Central Florida is dedicated to providing people with vision loss with the training and resources necessary to achieve economic mobility, financial independence, and emotional well-being. While Celine offered valuable guidance to the participants, she was inspired by the organization’s work. “I learned so much about accessibility tools and resources the visually impaired community uses every day,” says Celine.
Celine also shared her classroom expertise with City Year Orlando. City Year Orlando programs support math and financial literacy initiatives at Title I, Orange County Public School (OCPS) partner schools, and also equip AmeriCorps members serving in math classrooms with the resources and tools to support hundreds of students on foundational skills. City Year Orlando integrated FAIRWINDS training materials into “Money Mondays” for staff and AmeriCorps members with FAIRWINDS crewmembers facilitating several “Money Monday” classes and other events in 2024.
At a November Professional Development Day, City Year Orlando AmeriCorps members had the unique opportunity to learn firsthand valuable insights into employer benefits, 401(k)s, workplace incentives, and practical interview tips straight from FAIRWINDS recruiters.
Building Homes and Financial Foundations
We’re proud to support Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County and Habitat for Humanity Seminole Apopka, working side-by-side with future homeowners. Not only do our crewmembers physically help to build homes they’re also guiding homeowners to build a solid financial foundation.
As part of Habitat’s steps to homeownership, program participants are required to complete in-person financial literacy courses through Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County. Throughout 2024, crewmembers volunteered their time teaching vital topics to homeowners including effective savings strategies, the ins and outs of buying a home, smart debt management, compound interest, retirement options, and how to save money daily.
Dan Felix, FAIRWINDS Vice President of Mortgage Services, is a passionate and frequent volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and sees first-hand the difference in the classes he leads. “Habitat for Humanity's mission is to build a world where everyone has a decent place to live. They work toward this vision by building strength, stability, and self-reliance in partnership with people and communities,” said Dan. “I'm proud to support this organization and empower individuals with the knowledge they need to secure a better financial future.”
Teaching Students
According to a 2023 study from Ramsey Solutions, 88% of U.S. adults said high school did not leave them “fully-prepared” for how to handle money in the real world.
Junior Achievement USA is dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices.
Through Junior Achievement, crewmembers stepped to the head of the class to educate students from elementary level to graduating seniors on a wide range of financial skills including the basics of saving money, making smart spending decisions, and understanding credit.
Once again, Dan volunteered his time to facilitate a series of classes to high school seniors. “The enthusiasm and eagerness to learn from these bright young minds were truly inspiring. Together, we’re empowering the next generation with the knowledge they need to succeed financially,” said Dan.
Financial Wellness Year-Round
As we continue to support our community through financial education and volunteer efforts, we are reminded of the profound impact that knowledge and guidance can have on individuals' lives. At FAIRWINDS, we are committed to fostering financial wellness and empowering our community members to achieve their financial goals. Together, we can build a brighter, more financially secure future for everyone.