The University of Chicago
MONEYTHINK
WHAT WE DO
Recognized by President Obama as one of America’s most promising social innovations, Moneythink is the only movement of young people working to restore the economic health of the United States through financial education.
We recruit and train college volunteers to serve as near-peer role models, college mentors, and financial coaches to low-income teens in high school classrooms within our communities. In partnership with schools and community organizations, our volunteers lead 11th-and-12th-graders through a program focused on the real-world financial decisions that young people face.
Through our program, young people work together to build strong relationships, engage in meaningful dialogue, and take practical action toward their financial and career goals. Our volunteers deliver programming at the local partner site, in a student-to-mentor ratio of 5-to-1 or less, once per week for a full school year.
Moneythink UChicago
WHAT WE TEACH
THREE MODULE STRUCTURE
We've recruited some of the most talented students at the University of Chicago. They have become our mentors, and work with students at our partnerships across the City of Chicago. Each of our mentors is trained in teaching the following courses
PERSONAL FINANCE
This introductory course is built to provide our students with a foundation of personal finance knowledge, with a specific focus on common pitfalls as well as actions they can begin to take in order to ensure their financial stability in the future.
COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS
The winter module focuses on preparing students for life post high school graduation. Whether or not our mentees plan on going to college we want to provide them with the resources to succeed both academically and professionally.
MONEY TANK: ENTREPRENEURSHIP
The final course in the Moneythink programs revolves around entrepreneurship. We work with our students to solve community issues and build up company ideas. The lessons help students build up a business plan that ultimately culminates in our city wide pitch competition, Money Tank.
PROVEN RESULTS
In the classroom, we deliver results that promote financial capability.
Moneythink Mentors have a huge impact on their students' lives -
Here are some of our measured results.
76% of students believe they have the opportunity to become financially successful
49% increase in student's ability to manage their own finances
39% increase in student's belief that they will be more financially successful than their parents
48% increase in household discussions of money management
86% of students plan to graduate from college
OUR STUDENTS
Our students see the lasting impact of Moneythink. Here's what some of them had to say.
"It was more than just teaching financial literacy; it was teaching us to be effective members of society"
- Jeremiah Douchee
Moneythink Graduate
"Moneythink gave us a break from the boring lectures, to actually interact with someone and have dialogue- that’s what I loved best about Moneythink"
- Nnaji Iwunze
Moneythink Graduate
Moneythink UChicago
OUR APPROACH
OUR APPROACH
In the classroom, we combine technology with the personal touch of near-peer mentorship
Mentorship
Each student is assigned a mentor who works with them individually, providing support and guidance inside and outside of the classroom.
We maintain a 5:1 student to mentor ratio so that each student gets the attention they deserve.
Working with our students in a near-peer mentorship format allows our mentors to connect with our students to have a high impact and cultivate meaningful relationships in which students look up to mentors, ask them important questions about their financial concerns, and become financially capable young adults.
Moneythink UChicago
OUR TEAM
Moneythink UChicago
LEADERSHIP
WHO WE ARE
Our Incredible Leadership
Madeline Zuckerman
President
Madeline is a third-year majoring in Economics with a Specialization in Data Science. She joined Moneythink in the spring of her first year to form mentorship relationships with students in the South Side community and have an impact beyond UChicago. Outside of Moneythink, she is the Head of Engagement for Promontory Investment Research and a TA for the economics department. She also enjoys running, biking, crosswords, and catching up on Love Island with friends.
Riley Friedenberg
President
Riley is a third-year studying Economics and Philosophy. He joined Moneythink in the fall of his first year and has loved mentoring students. Outside of Moneythink Riley is a member of The Blue Chips and the Financial Markets program. He also enjoys playing Chess and binge watching movies.
Ivy Wang
Director of Internal Operations
Ivy is a second-year studying Economics. She joined Moneythink the fall of her first year and has loved mentoring students and connecting with the broader Chicago community. Outside of Moneythink, she is a member of Phoenix Development Fund and works as a communications assistant at IFK. She also enjoys watching Formula 1, playing violin, and exploring restaurants around Chicago.
Mandy Liu
Director of Outreach
Mandy is a second-year studying Economics and Sociology. She joined Moneythink in the fall of her first year as she wanted to continue helping and mentoring others in a more hands-on and practical way. Outside of Moneythink, she is a member of TAMID, Phoenix Development Fund, and Women in Business. She also enjoys journaling, exploring the city with friends, and playing volleyball.
Jacob Lowen
Director of Technology
Jacob is a second-year at UChicago majoring in Economics and Psychology. He joined MoneyThink in the spring of his first year and has loved mentoring and building relationships with the students. Outside of MoneyThink, he is a member of the varsity tennis team and Tamid Group. He also enjoys working out, playing sports, spending time with his friends and family, and skiing.
Soupy De
Director of Finance
Soupy De is a second year studying Statistics and Economics. He joined MoneyThink in the Fall of his first year to continue to build upon his mentorship background from high school and has enjoyed fostering valuable relationships with mentees. Outside of MoneyThink, Soupy is on the Junior Board of Paragon National Group and a member of the Financial Markets Program. Soupy enjoys working out, watching basketball, and exploring the city in his free time.
Judah Huberman-Shlaes
Director of Curriculum
Judah is a second year majoring in Biology on the Pre Med track. As a Chicago native, he attended a CPS high school, and upon coming to UChicago, wanted to give back to the same schooling system he benefited from. He joined Moneythink in the fall of his first year in order to give back to the CPS community through mentorship. Outside of Moneythink, he works in a molecular engineering lab and is a member of the UChicago Men’s Rugby team. He also enjoys weight lifting, good food with friends, and house music.
Josh Erched
Director of Engagement
Josh Erched is a second-year at UChicago majoring in Economics & Statistics. He joined MoneyThink in the fall of his first year to continue his commitment to mentorship and increase his involvement in the South Side community. Other than MoneyThink, Josh is involved in the Behavioral Economics Association and TAMID. He enjoys frolicking, working out, trying new food, and going to the beach.
CONNECT
Please feel free to reach out with any questions!
© 2019