Tales from the Piggy Bank: “Kids & Money” Outdoor Photo Exhibit Celebrates United Way's 90 Years

Oct. 21, 2010 - PRLog -- What does it feel like to take all your piggy bank pennies and put them in a savings account? To teach your parents about money? To be an entrepreneur at age 12?

Children, grades five through 12, who have gone through financial education courses, funded by United Way of San Diego County (UWSD), know what it feels like. And now these achievements of financial management and stability have inspired the children’s confidence, happiness and hope.

These emotions and more are displayed for the public through a dramatic, larger-than-life photo exhibit, titled “Kids & Money,” part of UWSD’s 90th anniversary celebration. The exhibition is outside and open to the public, 24 hours a day, from Monday, October 25, to Sunday, October 31, at Balboa Park (Casa del Prado, Patio B in San Diego).

“By teaching financial literacy to young children, we are able to make a tremendous impact on their future and the future of their families,” said Doug Sawyer, UWSD president and CEO. “These photos help the public see the joy and confidence that basic money skills can bring to a child’s life. It’s also a way for us to show our numerous donors and volunteers how they are truly making a difference.”

During its year-long 90th anniversary celebration, the United Way series of three photography exhibits showcases the impact the organization has made in the community in the areas of Education, Income and Health. Designed by Don Hollis of Hollis Brand Culture, this immersive outdoor exhibit is the first in the series and focuses on “Income” from the perspective of our community’s youngest members. Jessica Hanson York, formerly of The New Children’s Museum, serves as coordinator of the photography series.

The inspiring photos were taken by professional photographer Katie Gardner at three programs for youth, funded by UWSD:

•   Alliance for African Assistance works with refugee youth who have recently arrived in the country. These children learn basic financial education about U.S. banking systems, budgets, the importance of receipts, understanding a U.S. paycheck and more.
•   Junior Achievement’s Biz Town features a 10,000-square-foot mini-city, where fifth graders can learn to run their own businesses, allowing them to make financial decisions, determine philanthropic contributions and pay taxes.
•   SAY (Social Advocates for Youth) San Diego offers a program for at-risk youth that teaches the basic financial principles of credit and debt, such as how to save and buy a car and how to use a credit card responsibly.

Gardner is a commercial and portrait photographer. She also works with Outside the Lens™, a San Diego-based youth media literacy program dedicated to enriching and celebrating the visions and voices of children.

For more information about United Way of San Diego County and its 90th anniversary events, visit http://www.uwsd.org and “like” on Facebook.

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United Way of San Diego County is a nonprofit organization that improves lives and creates lasting change by raising money and mobilizing the community to solve education, income and health issues. To learn more or to donate, please visit www.uwsd.org