Opening the door to financial literacy during Raymond James Cares Month

Raymond James Cares Month is a dedicated time for associates to volunteer, connect with local organizations and strengthen the fabric of their communities. It reflects the culture of service and mantra of giving back to the communities in which we live and work. With the launch of the new national partnership between Raymond James and Boys & Girls Clubs of America, associates embraced opportunities to engage with Club youth in ways that support learning, leadership, well-being and even financial literacy.

Impact by the numbers

Advisors and associates across the country showed up to Boys & Girls Clubs and created meaningful impact. Over the course of the month, more than 2,500 volunteers engaged in over 25 activations with Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide. Together, volunteers donated over 1,800 hours, served over 300 meals, donated more than 200 items and raised nearly $10,000.

Every number represents a unique story of engagement and impact with Club youth. Raymond James volunteers led donation drives, helped with homework, supported graduation celebrations and more. In Los Angeles, local Raymond James branches brought youth engagement and financial literacy together to lead a special event for the local Boys & Girls Club.

Financial literacy tour for Boys & Girls Club kids

As a part of Raymond James Cares Month, Los Angeles associates, led by complex manager Andy Waldbaum, kicked off a book tour with Boys & Girls Clubs of Carson. During the tour, the team visited three local Clubs to read a financial literacy themed children’s book, Treasures in a Winter Vault, co-written by Lisa Detanna, an advisor in the Beverly Hills Raymond James office. The book sparked conversations with the youth about saving, spending and building healthy money habits. “We had them read to us and then I asked them to tell us what they learned from the story. I was humbled and mesmerized by their answers because they were all very nuanced and thoughtful, but from a child’s point of view,” said Waldbaum.

For the volunteers, the experience was energizing and deeply meaningful. Many shared that spending time with Club kids is how small moments can spark big ideas and reinforced why community engagement matters. “Raymond James Cares Month gives us the opportunity support charities that are important to us. We try to support them in a very local and a very thoughtful way,” Waldbaum shared. “It's never about us. It's always about the community.”

The impact of engagement

The volunteers were not the only ones who walked away inspired. Youth shared that the event helped them see how learning about money can support their goals. “My favorite part was when we got the book. It taught us to save our money and not spend it all in one place so that we have money for other things we want to buy,” said Club Kid Nancy L.

Club staff noted how the kids also opened up during the reading and asked thoughtful questions about money, choices and their futures. “Volunteer events like this are so valuable because it gets the students thinking about different things than they usually learn at school,” said Boys & Girls Club staff member Jose Saavedra.

Making a difference together

Raymond James Cares Month is a powerful reminder of what can happen when employees come together to support causes they care about. This year, the new national partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America created even more opportunities for associates to make a difference in their local communities.

To learn more about the partnership and how it supports youth success, click here.