HIALEAH, Fla. – As part of the Miami Dolphins FOOTBALL UNITES™ program, Dolphins cornerback Bobby McCain, alumnus Twan Russell, Senior Vice President of Communications & Community Affairs Jason Jenkins and cheerleaders in collaboration with SunTrust Now Truist and Operation HOPE hosted the Banking On Our Future financial literacy kickoff event for the 300 students of Jose Marti MAST 6-12 Academy (JMMA 6-12) to educate them on the importance of financial responsibility on Tuesday, Dec. 17.
“I think saving money is something important to learn at an early age that can and will set you up for the future,” McCain said. “The Miami Dolphins and the FOOTBALL UNITES™ program do a great job of educating and teaching the youth about all aspects of life and finances is just one part of it.”
The event kicked off with a student pep rally in the auditorium of JMMA 6-12 followed by classroom financial literacy sessions led by SunTrust now Truist volunteers to educate the students on budgeting and banking services using the award-winning Banking On Our Future youth financial literacy curriculum developed by nonprofit Operation HOPE. To date, over one million students across the country have been empowered with financial education through the program. The Miami Dolphins also visited each participating classroom to share financial experiences, interact and take photos with the students.
“A significant problem in today’s generation and the economy is the lack of financial literacy,” Operation HOPE Senior Executive Vice President Lance Triggs said. “Many Americans were not taught financial literacy in school. The Operation HOPE Banking On Our Future event at Jose Marti Academy, in partnership with SunTrust Now Truist and the Miami Dolphins, taught a new generation of over 500 students the importance of financial literacy and the language of money to break the cycle of financial illiteracy.”
“We’re honored to work alongside great organizations like Operation HOPE and the Miami Dolphins that help provide access to resources that members of our communities need in order to achieve financial confidence,” SunTrust now Truist Alabama and Florida Retail Market Executive Kimberly Dorsett said.”
These efforts and initiatives align with the Miami Dolphins’ goal to level the playing field through the power of teamwork to inspire a healthier, more educated and united South Florida community. Dolphins Chairman of the Board & Managing General Partner Stephen Ross and Dolphins players created the FOOTBALL UNITES™ program as a way to bring positive social change. The Miami Dolphins organization believes it is important to be inclusive of the diversity and aware of the intersections that make up South Florida, uniting groups of different races, genders, sexual orientations, identities, abilities and faiths around the power of football. Information on the FOOTBALL UNITES™ program can be found here. To learn more about RISE, visit here.
These events are part of an ongoing series of the #DolphinsHuddlefor100 service projects as part of the NFL’s 100th celebration. The NFL has invited fans, players, clubs and employees to join Huddle for 100, an effort to inspire 1 million people to volunteer 100 minutes of their time to make meaningful contributions to their communities. These activities are in connection with the Miami Dolphins’ initiative to level the playing field through the power of teamwork to inspire a healthier, more educated and united South Florida community. For more information on the NFL Huddle and to see
volunteer opportunities with the Dolphins, visit https://www.miamidolphins.com/community/specialteams.
