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Our Programs In Detail
Teen Money Talk
Teen Money Talk Workshops/Mentorships
Teen Money Talk Financial Literacy Program equips underserved and overlooked teenagers (13-19) with essential financial skills through free 1-day workshop held several times a year followed up with a 6 week mentorship for qualified teens. Led by our experienced program director and dedicated team, we offer practical, real-life experiences and interactive activities to help teens transition into adulthood with financial confidence.
Key Workshop Topics:
1. Personal Finance Basics: Understanding finance, budgeting, and financial terminology.
2. Financial Goals: Setting short-term and long-term goals.
3. Saving and Investing: Exploring savings accounts and investment options.
4. Debt Management: Strategies for managing and paying off debt.
5. Banking and Credit: Learning about banking products and building good credit.
6. Financial Planning: Planning for life events and understanding insurance options.
7. Employment Skills: Job search and interview preparation.
8. Mental Health/Wellness: Healthy eating, exercise, and handling tough situations.
9. Real-World Applications: Case studies, financial news discussions, and hands-on exercises.
Our workshops are designed to be engaging and interactive, featuring guest speakers and real-life scenarios. Teens gain practical knowledge from budget shopping, preparing for college, entrepreneurship, careers, banking, and more. With the mentorship they gain real world hands on experience in these areas.
Program Impact
In 2023 in Atlanta GA, 100% of our participants were Black teenagers from low-income areas, with 67% being girls and 33% were boys. Feedback from these sessions led us to shift to more frequent 2-day workshops, enhancing retention and impact. In 2024 in Houston Texas 100% of our participants were Black teenagers. 85% were from low income areas. 85% being boys and 15% were girls. With doing several workshops in 2 different states we realized in order to make the impact that is needed we need to do more. This is why we added a 6 month mentorship program to dive deeper into financial literacy with hands on experiences.
Participation and Support
Registration requires parental consent. We measure success through participant surveys, sign in sheets, attendance metrics, testimonials and demographic tracking, sharing results with the community and funders. Our goal is to prepare at least 50 teens per workshop for a financially stable future, reducing risks like bankruptcy and poor credit.
How to Help
We are a 501(c)(3) organization, making donations tax-deductible. Volunteers and sponsors are needed in Atlanta, Indianapolis and Houston.
**Investors, grantors and sponsors if would would like a detail program description with our budget please email us at info@buildingupthecommunity.org
Thank you for supporting financial literacy for our youth!
Feed The Friends (FTF)
We don't use the word "Homeless!" We prefer to call them our "friends” because everyone Needs One!
Program Overview
Feed The Friends (FTF) is a solution-based outreach program under Building Up The Community (BUTC), designed to support low-income and unhoused individuals and families by addressing immediate food insecurity while equipping them with the skills and resources to become more self-sufficient. While the program initially focused on feeding the unhoused around the city, we have restructured it to serve families more sustainably by combining food assistance with financial literacy, education, workforce readiness, and wellness support.
According to recent data, over 20% of households in Harris County experience food insecurity, and the poverty rate in Houston remains above 18%. The 2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines list $31,200 as the poverty threshold for a family of four. Many families below this threshold struggle not only with food access but also with managing household finances and accessing long-term support. FTF aims to meet these needs with a hands-on, wraparound approach.
Needs the FTF Program Seeks to Meet
FTF seeks to meet the growing need for consistent access to food, hygiene supplies, and household essentials for low-income families while reducing their long-term dependency on food banks and donation programs. We also address the lack of education around budgeting, meal planning, and financial wellness, which are key to lasting self-sufficiency. Many of the families we serve are also disconnected from employment, education, and health support resources, all of which we aim to reintroduce through our program.
General Description of the Program and How It Will Be Conducted
FTF will invite low-income families and individuals to apply for the program through our website or partner agencies. Selected participants must attend a one-day (4–6 hour) session either in person or virtually. The session includes:
- A financial literacy workshop
- Workforce development and job leads
- Education resources (GED, college readiness)
- Grocery budgeting and meal planning
- Couponing and store-saving tips
- Using store apps and stretching meals
After completion, families will be given a custom grocery budget based on their household size. They’ll either be taken grocery shopping or receive a grocery drop-off. Our goal is to teach participants how to eat well on a budget and stretch their resources while we also provide immediate relief.
We also have a community pantry stocked with nonperishable food, toilet paper, paper towels, laundry soap, hygiene products, and diapers available to the families. Hot meals will still be served to unhoused individuals as a part of FTF events held several times a year.
**Investors, sponsors and grantors that would like a detail program description that includes our budget please email info@buildingupthecommunity.org