SHINE Academy Youth Launch!

Wealth Beacon Group Foundation proudly launched SHINE Academy Youth on Monday, July 20, 2026, at the Boys & Girls Club of New Haven, marking the beginning of an exciting journey to empower young people through financial education.

Through an interactive budgeting activity, Christina encourages SHINE Academy Youth participants to evaluate real-life spending decisions and discover the value of saving, planning, and spending with purpose.

The inaugural session was facilitated by Christina Outlaw of Connex Credit Union, who led students through engaging discussions focused on developing a positive money mindset and learning the fundamentals of smart money management. Through interactive activities and real-life examples, students discovered that financial success begins with the habits and decisions they make every day.

The launch was especially meaningful for Wealth Beacon's Co-Founder and CEO, Yvette Glenn. As a youth, Yvette attended the very same Boys & Girls Club where SHINE Academy Youth was launched. Returning to the place that helped shape her childhood to help inspire the next generation made the day a true full-circle moment and reflected Wealth Beacon Group Foundation's commitment to investing back into the community.

Yvette engages SHINE Academy Youth participants in a discussion about the differences between needs, wants, and savings, helping them build a strong foundation for making smart financial decisions and developing healthy money habits.

Students enjoyed pizza and cupcakes while continuing conversations about saving, spending wisely, and making responsible financial choices. The combination of education, food, and fun created an engaging environment where students felt comfortable asking questions, participating in discussions, and building confidence in their financial knowledge.

Christina Outlaw of Connex Credit Union guides SHINE Academy Youth participants through a hands-on budgeting exercise, challenging them to calculate their weekly pay based on a $50,000 annual salary and explore the fundamentals of smart money management.

SHINE Academy Youth, which stands for Smart Habits Inspiring Next-Level Excellence, was created to engage youth in learning about personal finance and equip them with practical money management skills they can carry with them throughout life. By introducing financial literacy at an early age, the program helps young people build confidence and develop healthy financial habits that will serve them well into adulthood.

Wealth Beacon extends its sincere appreciation to the Boys & Girls Club of New Haven for hosting the launch and to Connex Credit Union, especially Christina Outlaw, for partnering with us to inspire the next generation through financial education.

Group photo featuring Co-Founders Amir and Yvette Glenn, Christina Outlaw of Connex Credit Union, and the amazing youth of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater New Haven during the launch of SHINE Academy Youth.

The launch of SHINE Academy Youth marks another important milestone in Wealth Beacon Group Foundation's mission to empower youth with the knowledge, confidence, and life skills they need to build brighter futures. We look forward to watching these young leaders continue to learn, grow, and SHINE throughout the program.

The future looks brighter when We SHINE.

Interested in bringing SHINE Academy Youth to your school or organization, or enrolling a young person in a future cohort?

SHINE Up today: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/RyaS4Oi