Lancaster Non Profit Connexion West To Receive State Literacy Grant

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(Lancaster, Ohio) – The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Financial Institutions has announced that Connexion West in Lancaster is one of four institutions across the state that will receive a total of $50,000 in grant funding divided amongst them to provide financial literacy education to Ohio teenagers and young adults. Each grant award is worth $12,500.

The funds were awarded through the Financial Literacy Education Fund, which was established to create and support financial literacy education programs for Ohioans. These grant funds are awarded annually to provide financial support in areas of need and address gaps in financial education delivery.

In 2021, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed a bill into law that requires students entering the 9th grade to earn one-half credit of financial literacy as a requirement to graduate.

“The Financial Literacy Grant Program encourages the development of innovative programs that teach the effective management of personal finances and an understanding of the broader financial landscape,” said Sherry Maxfield, Director of the Ohio Department of Commerce. “Young people, especially in underserved communities, are frequently not exposed to basic financial education. Our grant program helps to fill that gap and can aid young Ohioans on a path toward their success.”

A nonprofit community center, Connexion West provides a variety of resources and classes for youth, including educational programming and resources to help incarcerated youth prepare for reentry. Connexion West also received this grant last year, which was used to offer financial literacy courses to 109 individuals via several programs including their Lancaster High School 21st Century Community Learning Center and in working with juveniles reported through the Fairfield County Juvenile court system. Connexion West plans to use this year’s grant money to expand upon last year’s initiatives by recruiting additional instructors to teach financial literacy curriculum and marketing the program to recruit future participants