Above: Keynote speaker, Prof. Annamaria Lusardi addresses guests at 6th Anniversary in Providence, RI.

For Immediate Release

Contact:Jim Hedemark
Executive Director | RI Jump$tart Coalition
401.985.9411 | email

RI Jump$tart Coalition Celebrates 6 Years
Of Youth Financial Literacy Leadership

International Expert to Provide Keynote, Award to be Presented to Chariho H.S., National Financial Capability Challenge Students Recognized

PROVIDENCE, RI, 6 May 2010 – One hundred financial literacy advocates from the academic, business and civic sectors are expected to join the RI Jump$tart Coalition in celebration of six years of youth financial literacy leadership at an event at Roger Williams Park Casino.

Event Details:
RI Jump$tart Coalition
Celebration of 6 Years of Youth Financial Literacy Leadership
Roger Williams Park Casino
6 May 2010 | 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

The RI Jump$tart Coalition is proud to present keynote speaker Professor Annamaria Lusardi, who is the Director of the Financial Literacy Center, launched in 2009 by Rand, Dartmouth College and the Wharton School; and the Joel Z. and Susan Hyatt Professor of Economics, Dartmouth College.  Lusardi’s full bio can be accessed by clicking here.

Professor Lusardi with speak about financial literacy and saving and will highlight her recent work on “Financial Capability in the United States,” the first comprehensive national study of the topic, which was produced by the FINRA Investor Education Foundation in consultation with the U.S. Department of the Treasury and The President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy.  The study can be accessed by clicking here.

The Coalition will also present their annual “Spark a Student” award to Chariho High School for becoming the first in Rhode Island to require financial literacy as a requirement for graduation.

Jim Hedemark, executive director of the RI Jump$tart Coalition says of Chariho, “In a time when schools have many valid reasons not to take on new pursuits, Chariho has proven that a commitment to youth personal financial education is not just a possibility, it can be a priority."

Further, Rhode Island students who received perfect scores on the National Financial Capability Challenge, a program of U.S. Treasury and U.S. Department of Education will be recognized.

For information about attending the event, contact Jim Hedemark at 401.385.9411 or director@rijumpstart.com

About the Coalition
The Rhode Island Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy is a nonprofit organization incorporated in Rhode Island in May of 2004, operating under the national group exemption of the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy with the mission of increasing youth personal financial literacy.