Xcel Energy Energizes Young AmeriTowne

DENVER - Aug. 6, 2015 - PRLog -- August 6, 2015, Denver – Colorado’s youth are taking a more active role in their own financial educations and preparing themselves to be savvy users of energy. They are doing so with the help of Xcel Energy.  Xcel Energy has announced their continued support of Young Americans Center for Financial Education and its Young AmeriTowne program with a $15,000 grant.

Representatives from Xcel Energy presented the grant check to students participating in Young AmeriTowne summer program on Friday, July 31. The event marked the launch of the new school year during which over 26,000 youth will take part in the proven Young AmeriTowne program.

Young AmeriTowne provides 5th graders a hands-on, real-time experience in how money moves through a free enterprise economy as they run their own towne of 17 businesses. The program begins with 30 hours of classroom lessons with their teachers and culminates with students running Young AmeriTowne for a day.

“The support of Xcel Energy makes the Young AmeriTowne program in financial responsibility and workforce readiness possible for tens of thousands of Colorado students,” said Richard E. Martinez, Jr., President and CEO of Young Americans. “Thanks to the dedication of Xcel Energy, our participants have an authentic experience where they can explore careers in the energy sector and learn energy saving tips which both help their business grow and make their Towne prosper.”

“Young AmeriTowne is a vibrant community. With our partnership, we help teach the participants how to be more energy aware and how easy it is to incorporate energy efficient measures into their homes and businesses,” said Kynnie Martin, Senior Foundation Representative, Xcel Energy. “Through the Young AmeriTowne program, we educate and empower youth to know what best practices are and how to use them to help their homes, businesses and communities thrive.”

Young Americans Center for Financial Education is a nonprofit organization committed to developing the financial literacy of young people, up to age 22, through real life experiences and hands-on programs. The Center fulfills its mission by offering programs that complement and reinforce each other to build life skills, work skills and financial self-sufficiency. These include Young AmeriTowne, International Towne, Money Matters classes, summer camps, and more.

In addition, Young Americans Center houses the only real bank in the world for young people, Young Americans Bank, which shares the same educational mission of teaching children to be financially responsible. Since 1987, more than 600,000 youth have participated in the programs or bank. For more information on the Young Americans Center for Financial Education, visit www.yacenter.org.

Xcel Energy is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company operating in eight Western and Midwestern states. The company is committed to providing cost-effective, clean, and responsible energy delivered with the highest standards for safety, reliability and responsiveness. Xcel Energy supports communities in four important areas:  STEM education, workforce development, environmental stewardship, and access to arts and culture. In 2014, Xcel Energy invested over $13 million in support of communities across its service territory. For more information on Xcel Energy, visit www.xcelenergy.com.