Tennessee Youth Advisory Council [TYAC]

The Opportunity Passport is a tool designed to organize resources to create opportunities (financial, educational, vocational, health care, entrepreneurial and recreational) for alumni of the foster care system and youth still in foster care. The Opportunity Passport provides real financial opportunities plus knowledge about how to make the most of your money, talents and life. You will receive financial literacy training that prepares you to use your Opportunity Passport successfully.

1. Individual Development Account (IDA): Think of this as a “savings and more” account. Save a dollar, and receive a matching dollar for a specified goal – all the way up to $1,000 a year. This means that you can turn $1 into $2 in your IDA just like that if you want to use the money to:
• Take college courses
• Pay medical and dental costs or insurance
• Buy a car and auto insurance
• Make a deposit on an apartment
• Invest in stocks or an IRA (Individual Retirement Account)
The money in an IDA is intended to help you develop a foundation towards independence.
• Take college courses
• Pay medical and dental costs or insurance
• Buy a car and auto insurance
• Make a deposit on an apartment
• Invest in stocks or an IRA (Individual Retirement Account)

2. Debit Account: The Opportunity Passport includes a debit account at a bank to help you manage your money and avoid steep check cashing fees.

3. Door Openers: The Opportunity Passport offers many special services in addition to the financial opportunities. It assists youth with things such as preparing for and finding a job, connecting with caring adults and learning the skills needed to live independently

To get enrolled, contact:
Alisha Jordan, alishajordan@tnyouthconnections.net or
Karen Coleman, karen.coleman@tnyouthconnections.net
at Monroe Harding at 615-664-1509

www.tnyouthconnections.net is a one stop shop for transitioning foster youth with GED classes, help with housing, employment, education and more…

For more information also visit: http://www.tnyouthconnections.net/passport.html

What do I
have to do to
get involved?

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•

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Take a four-week financial management class (your account will be seeded with $100 upon completion)
Take online surveys to let us know how the Opportunity Passport is helping you (you will receive a $40 stipend for taking surveys).
Participate in other “door openers” to help you achieve success.