2016 Presenting Mentors Announced

Young Americans Center for Financial Education proudly announces the outstanding Denver business leaders who will mentor the three winners of this year's Celebration for Young Entrepreneurs:

Heidi Ganahl, Founder of Camp Bow Wow and Moms Fight Back
Jeff Ingrum, President of Ingrum Sports Production Network
Reggie Rivers, former Denver Bronco and President of Corporate Kickoff

Presenting Mentors guide youth winners to become even better business owners, providing support and advice throughout the coming year. We can't wait to share their stories with you!

The 2016 Celebration for Young Entrepreneurs: Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars is Colorado's premier youth business competition and award ceremony which benefits Young Americans Center for Financial Education. This year's family-friendly gala takes place on Thursday, September 22 at 5:30pm at the Seawell Grand Ballroom. Find more information here, including how to purchase tickets or table sponsorships.

Get to know Reggie Rivers

While Reggie is best known as a six-season Denver Bronco running back, he is a true renaissance man. Reggie studied journalism at Southwest Texas State University where he was a four-time All-American football player. He started his career as a newspaper columnist. In fact, when Reggie moved to Denver in 1991 to try out for the Broncos, he was hired by the Rocky Mountain News to write a weekly sports column.

Reggie has put his journalism skills to good use across a variety of media. He has hosted talk shows on KOA and KHOW radio stations along with numerous broadcasting roles including football analyst for ABC Sports College Football, the Mountain Sports Network and CBS 4 in Denver. Reggie has also published five books.

Reggie is now President of Corporate Kickoff where he serves as a motivational speaker, emcee, auctioneer and presenter at thousands of events. Audiences all over the country have praised Reggie for helping them see their goals in an entirely new—and achievable—light. Reggie is now going to share his passion, knowledge and skills with a winner of the Celebration for Young Entrepreneurs: YouthBiz Stars business competition. One lucky youth business owner is going to feel like he or she has won the Super Bowl!

Summer Camps Go On the Road

Young Americans Center held its first off-site summer camps during the month of June, using its new AmeriTowne On the Road version for sessions of Young AmeriTowne and Junior Money Matters. The camps were a huge hit!

In Longmont, Colorado, youth attended camps through the St. Vrain School District at Sunset Middle School. The camps benefited from huge community support. Volunteers from Elevations Credit Union helped facilitate the Young AmeriTowne camp, and dignitaries such as Broomfield Mayor Pro Tem Brian Bagley stopped by to say hello.

Meanwhile, Colorado Academy students experienced FUNancial literacy in Lakewood. Highlights from the two weeks of camps included "rap battles" of the Coin Song, Banking Bingo and a culminating day running Young AmeriTowne.

A big thank you to both sites for making these camps such a success!

Young AmeriTowne Gives Back

Philanthropy is an important part of the Young AmeriTowne curriculum, as students learn about donating their time, talent and treasure to their communities. Students and businesses in Young AmeriTowne have the opportunity to donate their hard-earned AmeriTowne dollars throughout the year, and their donations were matched by either the Schlessman Family Foundation at Young AmeriTowne Denver or the Community First Foundation at Young AmeriTowne Lakewood.

The totals for this school year are in! Students donated $155,818.88 AmeriTowne Dollars in 2015-2016. That works out to over $6 AmeriTowne Dollars per student. With a paycheck of only $25-$30, that means that students are donated about 25% of their income--what a generous group!

YouthBiz Products now at RMHC!

Young Americans Center has partnered with Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian/St. Luke's to offer products handmade by youth entrepreneurs in the hospital gift shop. Selection available this summer includes Charming Wine Charms created by 2015 CYE Winner Isabelle and Classic Shine jewelry created by YouthBiz Emerging Entrepreneur participant Karina. Stop and shop today for unique and hand-made gifts for graduation, birthdays, or back-to-school!

Pigs Around Towne 3

Young Americans Bank just finished up its 3rd annual Pigs Around Towne scavenger hunt at the Far Northeast Branch. This year, 750 participants searched ice cream parlors, pet shops, and community centers to take a photo with seven different pigs, earning up to $50.00 for their bank accounts.

2016 Celebration for Young Entrepreneurs Mentor, Reggie Rivers

“Be the kind of person who takes the time to pass on knowledge and values to the next generation.”
-Founder, Bill Daniels

YouthBiz Forum Needs You!

The YouthBiz Forums are a great way to see youth entrepreneurship in action! This summer's Forum takes place on Wednesday, July 20 from 5:30-7:00pm. Volunteers are needed to listen to youth business pitches and to evaluate which pitch earns top honors. The Forum is located at YouthBiz on Downing Street: 3280 Downing Street, Suite C, Denver, CO 80205. Sign up here; there is nothing more meaningful to an Aspiring Entrepreneur than having an adult listen to and appreciate a youth's business pitch!

The Mayor of Young AmeriTowne presents a donation check to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Denver Executive Director, Pam Whitaker, at Young AmeriTowne Denver.