An increasing number of today’s youth are transitioning to adulthood without developing the basic financial knowledge needed to establish a secure financial future. Youth living in poverty are less likely to have financial knowledge and can become victims of high interest loans, elevated debt, and money fraud as adults. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), young people who develop the fundamentals of financial literacy are more likely to become adults who are financially secure (CFPB, 2019).

This poster will highlight program success for 4-H youth in two rural counties with elevated rates of poverty (10% and 30% above national average). This program served youth from a multi-county area through 4-H enrichment and involved collaborative work from 4-H, Family and Consumer Science Agents, and local organizations/agencies.