Blog Post By Candace Rotolo
United Way Suncoast recently reinforced its commitment to financial literacy with the launch of its inaugural Youth Philanthropy Week.
Through its support of Junior Achievement Tampa Bay, United Way Suncoast provided eighth-grade students from Roland Park K-8 School with a hands-on learning experience at Junior Achievement’s Finance Park in Tampa, where they navigated real-life financial 
decisions and explored the impact of philanthropy. Eighth graders from across the county engage in the interactive exercise throughout the year, including learning about philanthropy at the United Way Suncoast storefront.
During the half-day experience, students stepped into the shoes of working adults, assuming randomly assigned occupations and salaries. With guidance from UWS staff volunteers, they developed budgets, opened bank accounts at Truist, set up utilities at Tampa Electric, and made purchasing decisions for essentials such as housing, transportation, groceries, and insurance. The immersive simulation allowed students to apply financial concepts they studied in the classroom, gaining insight into how today’s choices can shape their future financial stability.
“United Way Suncoast is proud to partner with Junior Achievement to help students build the financial knowledge they need to succeed,” said Ernest Hooper, Chief Communications Officers for United Way Suncoast, who was one of about 15 UWS volunteers. “It’s incredible to see students realize the importance of budgeting, saving, and making smart financial choices that will benefit them and their communities in the long run.”
A Sense Of Giving
By engaging in this real-world simulation, students not only developed critical financial literacy skills but also gained a deeper 
understanding of the role philanthropy plays in strengthening communities.
“It’s so important to infuse a sense of giving in these students at a young age,” Hooper said. “The seeds we plant at JA BizTown, JA Finance Park and the Stavros Institute in Pinellas County will yield our next generation of donors as we move into our second century of service.
“In fact, one of our team members who participated in this engagement, Niki DeJesus, vividly recalls participating in this program as a child. So, we know the work we do now will make a difference in the future.”
Volunteer Opportunities For Teens
United Way Suncoast will continue its focus on Youth Philanthropy Week on March 6 by serving as volunteers at the Stavros Institute’s Finance Park. Students from Osceola Middle will go through a similar experience to build foundations for making intelligent lifelong personal finance decisions. United Way Suncoast shares space with the Pinellas Community Foundation.
Through initiatives like Youth Philanthropy Week, United Way Suncoast continues to inspire teenagers to be responsible consumers, and engaged citizens. United Way Suncoast is committed to making volunteering for youth easy by connecting them to opportunities that are fun and meaningful. We recently named Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy students Alexander Hamilton and Parker Simeone our February Volunteers of the Month.
Teens can sign up for in-person volunteer projects at with our partners such as Feeding Tampa Bay, Hillsborough Education Foundation, and Sugg Middle School. We also provide the option for teens to earn volunteer hours at home with our DIY kits. Visit www.volunteersuncoast.com/youth to learn more.
