On the road to success

It’s common to find adult education classes.  What’s not so common is to find a curriculum that offers classes for parents and their children. 

This past week, 30 adults and 14 youth ages 3 to 12 successfully completed a 12-week course on self improvement and financial stability. 

“Financial Peace University,” offered to adults, and “Fun with Finances,” offered to youth, was co-hosted by the Kaiserslautern Chaplains Office and Army Community Service.

U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern is the only garrison to offer a special sub-class for the youth, which parallels the adult course. 

“It’s great that the children get to learn the same things as the parents because it promotes an overall stability and strengthens the family bond when everyone participates in financial decisions,” said youth instructor Charlene Sanchez-Licciardi. 

The adults and children both learned about saving versus spending, information on insurance with an emphasis on protection, comparison shopping, needs versus wants, and a special portion dedicated to the importance of giving back. 

The motto that was practiced throughout the 12-week course was originally inspired by one of the class youth, Caleb Liggans: “Be the best you you can be.”
As the graduates left the class they all described at least one thing they learned during the course.

Overwhelmingly, the consensus was that they believed their futures would be brighter and they are on the road to success.