Fifteen-year-old Jesús
(pictured right) is learning important lessons about the cost of living and how to be smart about his money. It's all part of SDHC's youth financial fitness pilot project, launched last month in partnership with Citibank. The three-year program serves low-income youth residing in SDHC-owned housing communities. The program is designed to help break the cycle of poverty by encouraging asset-building and economic self-sufficiency. Through workshops, the youth are learning about budgeting, savings, credit and investments. They also get help preparing for college and developing career plans.
 
At a recent field trip, each youth opened their first savings account at Citibank Financial Center in San Ysidro, using a $50 check from SDHC as the initial deposit.
 
Most say they were enticed to sign up because of the three-to-one dollar match they'll get when they make deposits to their accounts. But after attending their first financial workshop, the majority decided that learning to become economically secure was the ultimate reward. 
 
Read the San Diego Union-Tribune article.