HOUSTON – The Smart Financial Foundation hosted a dozen local high school students participating in CollegeCommunityCareer program at its corporate headquarters.
Smart Financial Foundation staff along with Smart Financial Credit Union employees toured the facility with students, while sharing vital information about the difference between a bank and a credit union, along with what career paths are available at both types of financial institutions.
“We are excited to partner with Smart Financial Foundation through our CollegeCommunityCareer program,” said Barbara Iwunze, Program Manager at CollegeCommunityCareer. “The presentation they gave to our students will certainly help our goal to better prepare them as future leaders of our city, state and nation.”
Founded in 2012, CommunityCollegeCareer is a non-profit that partners with area high school students beginning in their sophomore year and works with them until they have completed a bachelor’s degree. The curriculum is based on four pillars – college success, leadership development, civic engagement and career discovery. It provides organized instruction through sophomore to senior year of high school.
“Smart Financial Foundation was proud to share insight into career paths available at a financial institution. These students show so much promise and truly embody the four pillars of the CollegeCommunityCareer program,” said Tiffany Halfon, Director at the Smart Financial Foundation. “This program is just another example of how we continue to partner with community organizations and make a difference in the lives of our youth.”
Separately, the Foundation announced its 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award and Community Impact Awards. This year’s honorees will be recognized at the Foundation’s annual Fall Luncheon on Nov. 7, 2016 at the Junior League of Houston.
The 2016 honorees include:
- Dr. Billy Reagan – Lifetime Achievement Award
- Keri Schmidt – Community Impact Award
- Linda Toyota – Community Impact Award
“All three honorees exemplify the Smart Financial Foundation’s mission to change lives, improve communities and achieve dreams,” said Virginia “Jenny” Smith, president of the Smart Financial Foundation. “We were humbled by the community support for our inaugural luncheon and awards program last year and hope to keep the momentum moving forward this year. Seeing first-hand how many community members care for our mission as much as we do is the greatest reward, showcasing how we are creating change in our community.”