Updates From Your Youth Liaison @ Catholic Aid

Youth Financial Workshop:
About 75 percent of young American adults are lacking the skills needed to make good financial decisions. One fifth of the students with credit cards are carrying more than $10,000 in debt. Some students are “refinancing” their credit card debt with student loans, leading to an average of $20,000 in college loan debt.* Catholic Aid has a solution for your youth and young adults! Our financial workshop will help teens learn ways to start managing their finances with practical ideas about checking accounts, debt, credit cards, and savings.

Here are some suggestions for a successful workshop:
• Contact me at (651) 765-6540, or email hvargo@catholicaid.org to schedule a workable date and time.
• The workshop is designed for students in grades 9-12, but the content can be tailored to young adults, ages 18-30, as well. Parents are also invited to attend.
• The workshop is about 1½ to 2 hours in length. Providing refreshments is appreciated.

Young Adult Advisory Team:
The first meeting of the Young Adult Advisory Team was Nov. 14, 2009 and the group was ambitious and engaged. The team consists of Reba Bisciglia, Vinnie Floeder, Abby Huebsch, Paula Minell, Jorden Taveirne, Gabriel Walz, and Cari White. The meeting was facilitated by Heather Vargo, Youth Liaison. The group covered a lot of material, including Catholic Aid’s name update, youth programs, and youth financial workshop and scholarship programs. The team’s primary purpose is to explore how Catholic Aid can increase visibility, promote volunteerism and spirituality, and to look at how young people can assist Catholic Aid councils in strengthening relationships with youth.

World Youth Day Scholarships:
In 2008, Catholic Aid helped young adults attend World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia, by providing nearly $34,000 in grants to 70 young members. While the next World Youth Day is less than two years away, groups are making plans and gathering funds to attend World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain, on Aug. 15-21, 2011. Catholic Aid will again offer young adults $500 scholarships to aid in their travel expenses. Potential pilgrims can apply for one of 60 grants that will be given out in 2011. More information is available at www.catholicaid.org/links/wyd2011.

*Source: National Jump$tart Coalition