Creating First Generation Savers and Credit-Builders

MyPath (formerly Mission SF Community Financial Center) has an innovative approach to address the need for economic mobility in this country. We design innovative programs, closely monitor their impact, share our lessons with the field, and bring our programs to new locations. We also engage directly with low-income youth (ages 14-24) to improve the financial services landscape, supporting them to bring about change at local, state and national levels. As youth learn to save, build credit and mobilize, they break the cycle of poverty and seed economic mobility for themselves and generations to come.

Three facets of MyPath’s models set us apart from traditional approaches:

• Because we value youth leadership, youth play key roles in program design and delivery of our models and advocacy.
• Because we value both human relationships and technology, our models blend in-person and online delivery of financial activities to ensure efficiency and impact.
• Because we value lasting impact, our models incorporate behavioral economic principles, which increase desired behaviors by leveraging savings incentives, participants’ personal goals, relevant financial information and defaults.

MyPath has four central programs for youth ages 14-24:

MyPath Savings engages young people in banking and saving, transforming their first paychecks into an economic mobility pathway.

MyPath Advocates engages young people in visible leadership roles in local, state and national efforts to improve access to quality financial services and opportunities.

MyPath Credit engages young adults in saving and credit-building, transforming their ability to access jobs, housing and quality loans.

MyPath Innovation engages youth in the design and testing of new curriculum, including both in-person and online activities.