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Friends of the Children-Boston (Friends-Boston), in partnership with Santander Bank, will be hosting a kick-off event for the 2017 Achiever Entrepreneurship Program on Thursday, March 9 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Friends-Boston headquarters in Jamaica Plain located on 555 Amory Street.
Through the Achiever Entrepreneurship Program, 30 Achievers and their mentors will go complete a rigorous 14-week entrepreneurship curriculum to develop a business idea and create a business plan. The Acheivers’ business plans will then be entered into a business competition in June for a chance to win a team prize. One of the most unique aspects of this program is its focus on the needs of the communities our Achievers live in. The curriculum teaches young people to not only consider the economic potential of a business idea, but also the social benefits a business can bring to the community. In addition to the competition, the Achiever Entrepreneurship Program is a “earn and learn” opportunity for Achievers to earn dollars to be deposited into their savings account after reaching specific competency benchmarks!
“We are very excited to kick off this partnership with Santander Bank,” said Yi-Chin Chen, Executive Direct of Friends of the Children-Boston. “Not only will our Achievers learn critical skills and become more financially literate, they will also have the opportunity to learn about their communities and the roles small businesses play in improving people’s quality of life.”
At the kick-off event on March 9, Achiever Teams will be announced and hear from Noah Hicks of Bowdoin Bike School about his personal journey of starting his own bike shop in the Bowdoin/Geneva neighborhood of Dorchester. Achievers will have the opportunity to practice a crucial entrepreneurial skill – networking – when they meet Santander Bank representatives. But the evening is not all business: Achievers will compete in the “Guess the Logo” challenge and make memories in the “I’m a Boss” photo booth!
“We are thrilled to support the creation of Friends-Boston’s Entrepreneurship program to highlight the role of business in the community,” said Michael Cleary, Head of Consumer and Business Banking for Santander Bank, and Board Member of Friends of the Children.
Santander Team Members will engage with Achievers throughout the 14-week Entrepreneurship Program, helping them build their business plans and providing financial education around savings and money management.
To learn more about the Achiever Entrepreneurship Program or Friends-Boston, please contact Stacey Dell’Orfano, Director of Development, at 617-983-3682 or by email at [email protected].
