For teenagers in foster care or preparing to transition out on their own, opening a bank account is about more than having access to their money. It’s a symbol of independence, empowerment and hope for the future.
Angela Williams knows this better than most. She is a caseworker in Florida and has seen how legal barriers can limit the ability for teenagers in foster care to develop financial independence. Many foster youth struggle with financial understanding, leading to difficulties in managing money, saving and making informed financial decisions. If foster youth had the same educational and financial outcomes as their peers, it could lead to a $2.17 billion increase in lifetime earnings and significant cost savings in areas like homelessness and juvenile justice
Familiar with these obstacles, Angela was thrilled to learn of VyStar’s Fostering Financial Fitness, a first-of-its-kind program designed to remove financial barriers and help foster youth build a strong foundation for their future.
“This goal of opening a bank account may seem standard and simple to some, but this is a huge confidence booster to our young people,” Williams said.
A confidence boost that comes from a lifetime of financial skills.
Helping Students Thrive: ‘A Model We Can Use Going Forward’
In partnership with Jacksonville-based Family Support Services, VyStar launched Fostering Financial Fitness in early 2025. The program provides financial education and access to checking and savings accounts for youth in foster care and those preparing to live independently. It streamlines the account-opening process, making it simple and accessible for both foster youth and their caseworkers.
Youth enroll in the Fostering Financial Fitness program and complete the comprehensive financial education courses. Upon successful completion of the online courses, they receive a certificate they then submit to their caseworker. Their caseworker presents the certificate during a regular case update in court and requests an Emancipation Order, which the young person then takes to any VyStar branch along with a government ID and a $5 membership fee to open a checking and savings account.
The program covers essential financial topics including saving strategies, responsible credit card use, credit scores, identity protection and more.
“Economic independence is one of the keys to being able to actually be successful in this world,” said Judge Michael Kalil of the 4th Judicial Circuit Court. “To be able to have good budgeting skills, to be able to know how to manage debt — or not have any debt — to be able to earn and get a high-quality credit score, to be able to set themselves up in the future.”
Each VyStar branch in Florida is designated Foster Friendly, with specially trained member specialists prepared to support foster youth with their financial needs.
“As a community-based credit union, VyStar is dedicated to ensuring every young adult, especially those aging out of foster care has access to the financial tools they need to succeed,” said Dana Karzan, VyStar’s Chief Marketing Officer. “By offering a fully online financial education course and making account access easier, we’re removing unnecessary barriers and helping youth in foster care build a strong financial future.”
The program is the first of its kind in the country, and as Kalil noted, its impact goes far beyond the individual.
“It's a model that we can use going forward for a lot of other kids,” Kalil said. “Keep in mind, it's the knowledge they learn that they’re going to be sharing with their friends as well. The downstream effect of this is really going to be pretty fascinating for a lot of kids in our community — to be able to go and get the independence and financial literacy that they need.”
Dreaming big: ‘You can do what you actually want to do if life’
Fostering Financial Fitness debuted in April at VyStar’s Financial Independence Signing Day, a celebratory event that turned a practical milestone into a moment of pride and purpose. Like a college signing day, participants symbolically committed to their future — not with scholarships, but by opening their first checking and savings accounts.
Williams attended the event and felt the energy and enthusiasm in the room.
“Signing day was a huge breakthrough with our foster kids,” she said. “They often feel that they are looked down on because of the dynamics of their past. To be given the opportunity for a fresh start is huge because they feel like a ‘normal’ young adult.”
One of the first individuals to complete the program was Zettia, who dreams of going to cosmetology school and opening her own salon. After completing the Fostering Financial Fitness program, she had a powerful realization: “If you save, you can do what you actually want to do in life, instead of just living check to check,” she said.
“It helped me a lot,” Zettia said. “It actually helped me see what all I can do with money.”
Williams is Zettia’s caseworker. She has watched Zettia grow more confident and motivated since completing the program, and she’s seen firsthand how financial education can shape a young person’s path.
“To feel valued and supported by a financial institution aside from their situation gives them the hope and inspiration that they have the tools to succeed as adults,” she said. “All decisions have been made for them thus far, but to have the opportunity to make lifelong decisions is empowering to these youth.”
Through the Fostering Financial Fitness program, VyStar aims to ensure financial wellness is within reach for everyone, including young people who haven’t always had the support systems others might take for granted. By removing obstacles and creating safe, empowering spaces, the credit union is helping foster youth build confidence, learn lifelong skills and take ownership of their financial future.
“The fact that VyStar saw that need and stepped up for us has been so incredible,” said Maria Oxford, Family Support Service’s Independent Living and Youth Well-Being Manager. “We need people in the community to step up for our kids, and the fact that VyStar did is just it's very exciting.”
Learn more about VyStar’s Fostering Financial Fitness program.