Affinity Plus Foundation

Today's minimum wage job earns approximately $5.15 - $6.00 per hour. Many parents are forced to work long hours because of increased costs in child care, transportation and basic living expenses. The Affinity Plus Foundation can help by supporting programs that teach money management. With support from donors, friends, and sponsors we can make a difference.

A high school counselor and scholarship coordinator, at a Minnesota high school recently complimented Affinity Plus Foundation's annual scholarship program and wrote a thank you letter to the Foundation.
"...I want to thank you for the scholarship opportunity that you have provided for a member/members of this year's graduating class 2002.

We have many students here who strive to do their best in the classroom and in their communities, and it is so wonderful to be able to reward them for all of their hard work and dedication.

We know how important it is to facilitate getting students off to a positive start after high school, and with your help we are able to assist many students in taking a step toward their dreams.

Once again, we send you our gratitude and thanks for your support, and we look forward to working with you next year."

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Janice, a single parent, has completed vocational training and is earning $10 an hour supporting herself and her son, Jeffery. Janice works 10 hours a day to afford the rising costs of Jeffrey's child care and recent increase in her rent. She has very limited resources, yet is committed to saving money for Jeffrey's education. She has pressing short-term needs as well as long-term goals and is often confused about what takes priority. Janice would welcome help in balancing her financial requirements for today and tomorrow. The Affinity Plus Foundation can assist with developing and funding such programs.

Programs that focus on the value of budgeting, saving, and investing will help Janice and Jeffery and other families like hers.

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Linda and Paul are a young couple with three children. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it now costs $112,000 to $224,000 just to raise a child through high school. And anywhere from $40,000 to $120,000 more for a basic four-year college education

What programs exist to help young families provide for their children's future, as well as their own?

These families need financial education and supportive programs teaching them how spend, save, or invest money for the future of their families. The Affinity Plus Foundation can aid with such programs.

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Debra found herself embroiled in a bitter divorce and huge debt. She is an educated woman who teaches literature and language at a highly respected college.

While prepared to face classroom students, she was never trained in how to handle what she describes as "financial abuse" from an ex-husband with resources which far outweighed her own. Legal fees eroded her ability to care for herself and her children and put her into a survival situation that will last for years to come.

In Debra's own words, she states, "a program to help women of all backgrounds navigate through experiences of this sort is essential. The traumatizing effects of 'financial abuse' are paralyzing and very degrading." Affinity Plus Foundation would look to provide financial empowerment programs for people like Debra.

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According to a recent study, many college-age women do not connect decisions on marriage, having a child, and career choice with their economic stability at that time in their lives. Poor financial decisions will become larger financial problems in the future.

When students begin college they are faced with many new financial decisions, such as rent, utility bills, car payments, student loans, credit card offers. These new financial responsibilities can either build their credit or hinder them from future opportunities. College students are not use to paying so many bills or the freedom to spend as they choose. Courses that teach incoming freshman how to manage their budgets, calculate their personal finances or general financial understanding can serve to better their lives in the future. Today's advertising market targets college students when they are new at managing their finances. With proper education and supportive programs, students and youth alike can evaluate the best ways to both save and spend their money.

As a Foundation, we want to support courses on college campuses and encourage the development of job centers or financial assistance centers, so that today's youth can gain a better sense of sound money management. With your help, as an Affinity Plus Foundation donor, you can support such programs.

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With increased consumer credit card and household debt, there is an immediate need for an organization such as the Affinity Plus Foundation for support. With your help as a donor, we can all do our part to educate children, working poor, families, immigrants and elderly in life-skills training such as simple arithmetic, balancing checkbooks, or reading and understanding bank statements.

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