BrightStart: Finances & Housing for the Future

Income inequality

Central LA East LA South LA West LA South Bay Long Beach LAUSD (select only if you have a district-wide partnership) County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit) City of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a citywide benefit) Gateway Cities

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

In LA, too many students grow up in the shadow of poverty, their futures defined by the financial hardships they face daily. With the rising cost of housing, lack of affordable rental options, and few resources to help them navigate complex financial systems, many of these senior students live with a constant fear of housing instability and financial insecurity. Over 84% of students in LAUSD live at or below the poverty line, and for them, the future is a series of obstacles that seem impossible to overcome. They dream of a better life of owning a home and financial independence but these dreams feel out of reach. Without the knowledge to make sound financial decisions, many young people risk making choices that could trap them in poverty for life. Stronger Than The Struggle seeks to change that by equipping students with the practical knowledge they need to achieve stability, financial independence, and ultimately break the cycle of poverty that has held them back for generations.

BrightStart: Finances & Housing for the Future program offers high school seniors the tools to navigate financial insecurity and housing instability. Through 1.5-hour sessions, students will gain essential knowledge in budgeting, renting, income planning, housing, and wealth-building strategies, empowering them to make informed financial decisions and build a stable future. Each session begins with a Icebreaker, creating a safe space for students to feel supported in learning and sharing. The session includes a brief Introduction to the topic, connecting the lesson to real-life struggles like paying rent or managing debt. Students then engage in Interactive Learning, simulating financial scenarios using Monopoly money to make decisions on budgeting, paying rent, and handling unexpected expenses, experiencing firsthand the consequences of their choices. Following the simulation, a Discussion & Debrief allows students to reflect on decisions, share experiences, and gain insights from industry professionals such as real estate agents and financial coaches. The session concludes with a Wrap-Up & Certificates, where students receive a Certificate of Completion, marking their hard work and readiness to take control of their financial future. By the end of the program, students will have gained practical skills and emotional resilience to break the cycle of poverty and learn that financial stability and homeownership are achievable through informed decision-making and perseverance.

Imagine within a year LAUSD high school seniors understand the power of a budget, where they know how to make informed decisions about housing, credit, and long-term financial planning. A LA where the next generation isn't burdened with the constant fear of homelessness or financial insecurity. Where youth from low-income communities have the same chance to succeed as those from wealthier backgrounds.
If this program is successful, we will see a ripple effect throughout LA. Students will not only graduate with a confident understanding of personal finances, but they will also have the tools to avoid the common pitfalls that lead to housing instability and poverty. The impact will expand far beyond the classroom, into families and communities, as they share their newfound knowledge and empower others to break the cycle of poverty. Our goal is to make our financial education program a requirement within LAUSD/ABE School, making it the norm, not the exception - empowering stable futures.