On Saturday, April 26, from 10:30 AM–12:00 PM at YWCA Evanston/North Shore, we’re celebrating National Financial Literacy Month with a special event for District 65 families with children currently in kindergarten, 1st grade, or 6th grade—or entering those grades this fall.
This fair is a great way for kids to explore financial concepts in a fun, engaging way, and for parents and caregivers to learn more about Savings for Success (S4S)—our savings and rewards program that helps families start saving for their child’s education or training after high school. Savings for Success exists to help close the racial wealth gap by providing families with savings strategies, staff support, and financial rewards—up to $200 in the first year and up to $50 annually thereafter. It’s also a powerful way to start conversations with children about their future—helping them understand finances and savings while reinforcing that their community believes in them.
The fair offers a fun, welcoming, judgment-free space to ask questions, connect with resources, and even enroll for Savings for Success on-site with support from our trauma-informed financial wellness staff. As a bonus, D65 families already enrolled in S4S (or who sign up to enroll) will also be eligible to receive a $25 reward incentive deposited into their S4S account for attending this event.
Activities include:
💬 On-site Savings for Success program info and enrollment support - and families who attend and enroll (or are already enrolled) get a $25 reward incentive!
✨ Interactive activities for kids, including a hands-on ATM experience to learn how it works and why we use ATM’s
📚 Storytime and book reading for K–1st graders, featuring age-appropriate books on financial wellness
🧠 A fun, age-appropriate financial workshop for 6th graders led by YWCA’s Financial Wellness team
📃 Helpful financial wellness resources from YWCA, Illinois Brightstart 529, and Evanston Public Library
🎁 Raffles for adults and prizes for kids
🍎 Snacks, refreshments, and free childcare provided
Let’s build financial confidence together at this empowering experience for the whole family— because it’s never too early, or too late, to start planning for your child’s future.
About Savings for Success
Savings for Success is a collaborative program of YWCA Evanston/North Shore and the Evanston Community Foundation, with support from Evanston Cradle to Career and Evanston/Skokie School District 65. The program provides families with a way to work together to save for their children’s futures—making post-high school education more accessible and achievable for all District 65 students, starting in kindergarten, with expansion to 1st and 6th grade. Designed to help close the racial wealth gap, Savings for Success offers families savings strategies, one-on-one support, and financial rewards—including up to $200 in the first year and $50 each year after. The program empowers families to build assets, start future-focused conversations with their children, and reinforce the message that their community believes in them and their potential. Learn more at https://www.ywca-ens.org/savings-for-success.
About YWCA Evanston/North Shore
YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Established in 1931, YWCA Evanston/North Shore is one of 194 local YWCA associations across the country and a part of one of the oldest and largest multicultural women’s organizations in the world. Through comprehensive, trauma-informed direct services, education and training, and community partnerships, we advance our mission across four key areas: Domestic Violence, Racial and Gender Equity, Economic Advancement, and Aquatics. These efforts aim to build stronger, more equitable communities and a future rooted in justice and dignity. Learn more at ywca-ens.org.
QUESTIONS? CONTACT:
Contact Kristin Drake, Economic Advancement Director at kdrake@ywca-ens.org