FIVE MILLION KIDS Talk - Blog

We wanted to share some exciting news this week - PricewaterhouseCoopers has dedicated more than 500 volunteers to the 5MK Initiative. With generous partners like PricewaterhouseCooppers, the 5MK initiative continues to grow stronger and helps deliver the message to empower more youth across the country.

PricewaterhouseCoopers Dedicates More than 500 Volunteers

for Operation HOPE’s 5MK Initiative

New partnership will bring lessons in dignity and financial literacy to 5,000 students nationwide

(LOS ANGELES) March 2, 2010 — Financial literacy and empowerment nonprofit Operation HOPE (HOPE) announces the largest concentration of support for the FIVE MILLION KIDS Initiative (5MK) with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC). PwC, one of the world’s largest professional services firms, is committing 525 intern volunteers and making a $50,000 donation to improve youth education and financial literacy. Support for education initiatives is part of PwC’s strategic corporate responsibility commitment.

Launching in Charlotte, North Carolina on March 1st, the program will crisscross America over the next two weeks. 5MK empowers youth, teachers, and parents with tools to take control of their financial future. The initiative makes education more relevant to students through practical lessons in the “language of money,” and ultimately to help curb the soaring high school drop-out rates.

“PwC is committed to taking a leadership role in developing the next generation of leaders who will ensure a sustainable marketplace,” said Shannon Schuyler, corporate responsibility leader, PricewaterhouseCoopers. “We believe the core to that effort is a focus on math proficiency and financial literacy. Our involvement with Operation HOPE provides our interns a unique opportunity to impact students across the US with life-lasting skills and experience the satisfaction of making a difference in the life of a child.”

The pledge of support brings committed time, resources, volunteers, financial support and HOPE to thousands of youth. Embracing their mission of corporate responsibility, 525 high performing PwC interns will go into classrooms and teach the Banking on Our Future (BOOF) financial literacy curriculum.

The partnership supports a massive effort which involves 5,000 students to receive lessons in financial empowerment from March 1st-15th, 2010. The “BOOF In A Day” sessions will be taught by PwC interns in 18 cities nationwide, including Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Jose and Washington, DC.

Banking on Our Future is Operation HOPE’s award-winning program that has educated over 450,000 students globally since its inception in 1996. The BOOF curriculum, which will be taught by Operation HOPE-trained PwC interns, includes: A Course in Dignity, The Basics of Banking, Checking & Savings Accounts, Credit and Investments.

“Operation HOPE designed the 5MK Initiative to empower youth, teachers, and parents with tools to take control of their financial futures. As the saying goes, ‘it takes a village to raise a child.’ We are hoping to create that village of support and subsequently break the back of the high school dropout rate, through our 5MK Initiative,” said HOPE Founder, Chairman and CEO John Hope Bryant. “The next two weeks will build upon the success of our program launch last September.”

About PwC
PricewaterhouseCoopers provides industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to build public trust and enhance value for its clients and their stakeholders. More than 163,000 people in 151 countries across our network share their thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice.
“PricewaterhouseCoopers” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or, as the context requires, the PricewaterhouseCoopers global network or other member firms of the network, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity.

About Operation HOPE, Inc.
Operation HOPE is America’s leading nonprofit social investment banking and financial literacy empowerment organization. With more than 400 private sector partners, 1500 nonprofit organizations and schools, and 100 government partners in 69 major U.S. cities as well as South Africa, HOPE has raised more than $500 million in its pursuit of educating, assisting and inspiring the next generation of global stakeholders. Through international initiatives and its three principal programs, Banking on Our Future (teaching school children about money), HOPE Coalition America (Mortgage HOPE Crisis Hotline, 1-888-388-HOPE, financial emergency preparedness and disaster relief), and Walk-In HOPE Centers (loans, computer literacy, understanding banking principles), Operation HOPE has delivered services to more than one million low-wealth individuals and assumed the responsibility of piloting the Silver Rights Movement towards making free enterprise and capitalism relevant to all underserve d communities. To learn more about HOPE, visit www.operationhope.org. or read our blog at www.operationhope.org/blog.

On February 22, 2010, the Credit CARD Act went into effect, but what does that mean for the millions of credit cardholders across the nation? It is important to understand the new rules and regulations and how it will fundamentally change the way credit card companies market, bill and advertise credit cards. In effort to help consumers take back control of their finances, this bill is an important step because it holds credit cards companies more responsible and provides families and business owners the resources to make educated financial choices. Here is a link to more information about the Credit CARD Act: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/statement-president-credit-card-bill-implementation

This bill is a positive step in the right direction for millions across the country and further emphasizes the need for families and youth to understand the fundamentals of financial literacy in order to be a responsible credit card holder. The FIVE MILLION KIDS education initiative provides youth and young adults with the resources to fully understand the language of money. With the 5MK program tools and tips, along with the desire of young children and adults to learn, we are taking a big step forward to prepare them for the tough decisions they will have to make in their lives.

When FIVE MILLION KIDS launched in Los Angeles in September 2009, the overall vision and goals of the education initiative were to engage, teach and empower youth across the world to understand the importance of education and to become financially literate. As 5MK continues to expand their curriculum in schools across the country, it’s important to keep those goals in mind as we all move to making a difference in the future of the youths engaged in the 5MK program.

FIVE MILLION KIDS Goals:

1) Secure $50 Million in Earned Tax Income Credit for parents, teachers and adults, which is a refundable federal income tax credit for low to moderate income working individuals and families.

2) Fund 50,000 in new HOPE Starter Savings Accounts for youth on a matched basis

3) Educate 5 Million low-wealth and their parents, guardians and teachers in financial literacy

4) Open 50,000 new bank accounts for youth and parents

5) Launch the 5% Movement to advance the recruitment and training of 25,000 HOPE Corps volunteers to teach financial literacy, dignity and entrepreneurship throughout the United States

6) Recruit 5,000 grassroots leaders nationwide, representing low-wealth schools, community based organization and houses of faith to become involved and engaged nationwide

7) To make “Smart Cool and Sexy” again to youth across the world

Quote of the day: “A mind once stretched by a new idea never regains its original dimensions.” -Anonymous

John Hope Bryant speaks with the Bret Harte Middle School students

The great musical icon, Quincy Jones, FIVE MILLLION KIDS (5MK) National Co-Chair, has said “It has taken 20 years to make dumb sexy” in reference to the mentality of our culture today.  Our youth today are constantly inundated with images of fame, fortune and false sense of “richness” that doesn’t deliver a strong message of the importance of education and leaves our youth with unrealistic promises and dreams. 5MK is a national, education initiative that recently launched in Los Angeles and empowers youth and their peers by providing them the tools and resources to make them successful and reach their goals. Through the program, kids will gain positive ways to feed their minds that will unlock their powers inside to gain the confidence and tools for a better financial future. Check out www.5MK.org for program updates and to gain access to resources for a brighter future. Together we will make a difference.

Quote of the Day: “God gave us two ears and one mouth so that we listen twice as much as we talk.”  — Quincy Jones, music legend

Quincy Jones, 5MK National Co-Chair

 HOPE’s youngest Youth Council member, 8^th grader Carlos Pardo, divides his time between school, work and interning at HOPE World Headquarters. Youth Council member, Carlos Pardo, divides his time between school, work and interning at HOPE World Headquarters. 

Carlos believes that kids, as well as mentors, play an important role in helping each other to move on. “When a kid hears an adult say something, it’s one thing, but when they hear it from another kid; that’s powerful.” Carlos believes the key is helping each other. (Click here to hear his message.) 

A born optimist, it is his nature to help others. Carlos served as President of the Youth Bible Class at Iglesias Servios De Dios, the church where he was christened at birth, and where he continues in a leadership role mentoring youth. Carlos is looking forward to graduation from Foshay Middle School in June, where he is in college prep classes. He is part of the USC MESA Engineer School program designed to help exceptional students. In March he was honored in a Pin & Ribbon Ceremony for his outstanding grades and deportment. 

He likes to make art and is a member of Room 13, the advanced Art class at Foshay. He is a cadet and plays Chess so well that he has been school champ three times over. He is also a former member of the Robotics Club. 

Carlos hopes that his involvement on the 5MK Youth Council will result in more students taking an active role in their education.  His plans include making recommendations on what kinds of activities we can create to get kids excited about learning.  

In order to get our youth re-engaged in school and live with the personal dignity that comes with knowing that they CAN succeed in life, we need YOU. Get involved in the 5MK movement to help keep the kids in your community engaged in education. Visit 5MK and make your own unique pledge.

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Morgan Arthur

5MK is proud to present the first Youth Advisory Council Member, Morgan Arthur.

Morgan is a high-school junior in Chicago and is an honor roll student who participates in many extracurricular activities including athletics, band, and speech team. Her diverse activities combined with her broadened view of the world have created a well-rounded individual determined to make a difference. She truly believes that education offers access to a wider range of opportunities, including a fuller life and greater career opportunities.  Hear why she thinks HOPE’s mission to “Make Smart Sexy Again” is critical to the aspirations of youth today.

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John Hope Bryant

This is reason to be inspired that there is not only HOPE, but a PLAN for our kids. Read this piece, on 10,000 Hours, inspired by TIPPING POINT and Outliers author Malcolm Gladwell.

Onward with HOPE,

John Hope Bryant

5MK Youth Spokesman Dalton Sherman and John Hope Bryant

Earlier this month I was honored to meet the great Dalton Sherman, the amazing and inspiring young man from Texas, who energies a crowd of 20,000 plus on the 5MK homepage. Check it out! Well, Daltion also attended our annual Operation HOPE board retreat, where he inspired and energied all who were present.  If young Dalton is an example of our youth, and the potential to turn them around and to create star leaders for the future, then I am hopeful indeed!  Talk about 5 MILLION KIDS. Spread the word. Share. Let us know what you think.

One person can change the world. Be that one person.

John Hope Bryant

P.S. The t-shirt Dalton and I have on says “one child drops out of high school every 26 seconds.”

John Hope Bryant speaks to youth at B.E.S.T Academy in Atlanta, Georgia

With the possible exception of the founding of Operation HOPE itself some 16 years ago in South Central Los Angeles, immediately following the Rodney King Riots here, none of my life’s work has inspired me more, or feels more vitally important, and relevant in the challenging yet hope filled times ahead of us, than the “big idea” at Operation HOPE we now call 5 MILLION KIDS, or 5MK in HOPE short-hand (www.5MK.org).

5MK is nothing short of our bold, national strategy to “help break the back of the high-school drop-out epidemic in America,” and to inspire our youth, particularly our urban youth, to re-imagine their possibilities, to take their lives back, to empower themselves with options in life, and to realize their God given potential.  My personal hero and HOPE global spokesman Ambassador Andrew Young once told me that you could never have a (silver rights) movement, without young people. Well, 5MK is that movement.

According to recent nationwide studies, the high school drop-out rate amongst all young people is 30% nationwide, and in urban, inner city and under-served communities it hovers between 50-75%. This is very troubling for the nation, and an economic death sentence for America’s under-served. My new friend Marguerite Kondracke, president and CEO of America’s Promise, said to me recently, “if we are not careful, the next group of underperforming assets we will have to deal with will be our children.”

Something must be done. We believe that children are dropping out of high school because they don’t see education as relevant to their future. We also believe that the best way to make education “relevant” to their future is to show children how to get rich, legally through financial literacy; the language of money, free enterprise capitalism, and ownership. For children with an unfortunate public record, no matter how smart they are may find it difficult in the short term to pass a standard background check at a major corporation. In such instances, the viable option for them may be “entrepreneurship.”

According to another mentor of mine, 5MK national co-chair Quincy Jones, it takes 20 years to change a culture. Well, over the past 20 years we have made dumb sexy. Over the next 20 years we must make smart sexy again.

The Five Million Kids Initiative is a focused and coordinated national effort to invest in America’s human capital – our youth and our families, in low-wealth communities – to re-brand education, and to “Make Smart Sexy” again.

5MK is co-chaired nationally by icons Quincy Jones and Ambassador Andrew Young, our first 5MK HOPE Corps Volunteer is U.S. Treasurer Anna Escobedo Cabral, and our first 5MK Community Co-Chairs are Reverend Dr. Cecil “Chip” Murray, the peace maker and legendary community builder who held Los Angeles together following the Rodney King Riots, and none other than Vice Admiral David Brewer, superintendent and chief for the Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest school district in America.

5MK will be formally launched, on-the-ground in Los Angeles and in cities across America, early in 2009, but you can take peak at 5MK highlights beginning today. Track our progress, share your vision, get involved, organize a 5MK solution in your community, neighborhood or street, or simply make a 5MK Pledge of your own design, at www.5MK.org.

One person can make a difference. Be…that one person.

Onward with HOPE,
John Hope Bryant
Founder, Chairman and CEO
Operation HOPE