Foster Families Learn Financial Literacy in Partnership with The Pasadena Service Federal Credit Union

Allisonne Crawford is an involved foster parent. She brings children placed in her home to after school sports, social activities and … financial management training.

It may sound a little unusual, but it’s part of the assistance foster families get from Pasadena Service Federal Credit Union to help foster children learn financial literacy. It’s a growing program and helps those who may be on their own sooner rather than later to learn to control their financial future.

“I make sure that the children placed in my home are involved in extracurricular activities,” Crawford said. “They participate in sports and I take them to things around the community so they can feel a sense of community. Pasadena Service Federal Credit Union is wonderful because the children are taught how to put money away.”

Foster parents can teach children the importance of saving, but the Credit Union can help put those teachings in place. For example, Allisonne plans to bring her kids to Pasadena Service Federal Credit Union’s “Bite of Reality” financial simulator at teen youth conferences. She is also a proud supporter of the Mustang Branch, the student run credit union branch at John Muir High School Early College Magnet. As a JMHS alum, Allisonne couldn’t be prouder of PSFCU’s contributions.

“There are a lot of different ways the Credit Union could get involved and support foster parents so that kids can learn money saving tools,” she said. “The kids can learn how to set up a savings account that can follow them wherever they go because that’s important. Sometimes kids don’t come to you having any money, they don’t come with a lot of their belongings. So it’s really up to that foster family to really get that child going.”

Allisonne, who loves working with the foster care system, said she enjoys helping kids get up on their own feet. Ideally, foster youths should start working at 16. Crawford appreciates the support from the Credit Union in helping the youths understand how to map out their financial future.

There are different types of foster parents and Allisonne is a “resource” foster parent, one who helps and supports children until they are reunited with their family, or placed permanently in a foster home. Allisonne says she tries to set up an atmosphere that carries on long past the temporary shelter.

“This is a home away from home, although it is temporary,” Allisonne said. “We don’t want the kids to feel petrified being in a new place and they’re not going to have a stigma of being in foster care.”

Allisonne said she has one child and wanted to open her home to helping others.

“I’ve always wanted to have more children. I have room in my heart and I have room in my house,” Crawford said. “And my own child, she was okay with it. I looked into it and it was about a year-long process with everything. There are the home inspections and background checks and all of that, but it’s worth the time. Our community needs it. ”

Allisonne said there is a need for foster parents because it’s tougher than ever to raise children today for a variety of reasons and all parents need help.

“If you have the time and if you have an extra bedroom in your house, consider it,” she said. You have no idea the trouble that people are facing with the housing crisis here. People are not able to provide shelter for their children and they can lose their children until they become stable. My goal is always for the child to reunify and go home.”

You can visit Pasadena Service Federal Credit Union headquarters at 670 North Rosemead Boulevard, in Pasadena, or call (877) 297-4707 or visit their website https://www.mypsfcu.org. Focusing in the greater San Gabriel Valley with 4 branches in Covina, Vernon, Pasadena, and John Muir High School Early College Magnet; they’re your community partner. You can also stay in touch with them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mypsfcu Twitter: @PasadenaServFCU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypsfcu/