MILWAUKEE – May 1, 2017 – Associated Bank — in collaboration with Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and National Association for African-Americans in Human Resources (NAAAHR) — recently hosted the fourth annual Bank Your Future program. The educational event focused on helping more than 100 Milwaukee-area high school seniors develop interviewing, financial literacy, and college readiness skills.
Held at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, over 25 professionals from the Milwaukee area volunteered. During the event, students participated in break-out sessions, including:
- One-on-one mock interview and resume review with working professionals
- Financial education session conducted by Make a Difference Wisconsin
- College panel discussion conducted by Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee and YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee
- Mock work experience conducted by Educator’s Credit Union
“This event offers a great opportunity to support our future leaders by helping them expand their horizons and prepare for their future,” said John Utz, Milwaukee market president and head of corporate banking at Associated Bank. “We’re proud to be able to help the students reach their goals and make a positive difference in our community.”
The event kicked-off with keynote speaker Thelma Sias, retired We Energies executive and a prominent African-American businesswoman. Sias shared advice she wished she would have known when she was a high school student. At the conclusion of the event, John Utz introduced Malcolm Brogdon, Milwaukee’s basketball point guard. Brogdon shared his inspirational success story and encouraged students to achieve their dreams. He then raffled touch-screen laptops and iPads provided by Associated Bank.
ABOUT ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP
Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) has total assets of $29 billion and is one of the top 50 publicly traded U.S. bank holding companies. Headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Associated is a leading Midwest banking franchise, offering a full range of financial products and services from over 200 banking locations serving more than 100 communities throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota, and commercial financial services in Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Texas. Associated Bank, N.A. is an Equal Housing Lender, Equal Opportunity Lender and Member FDIC. More information about Associated Banc-Corp is available at www.associatedbank.com.
ABOUT BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER MILWAUKEE
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee (BGCGM), one of the largest and longest youth serving agencies in Milwaukee, offers structured after-school and summer programming to more than 41,000 children and teens each year. Within the safety of 44 locations, youth have access to free meals, academic support, role models and opportunities to build character and explore new interests. Through programs like MarVan Scholars, Graduation Plus and World of Work, the Clubs provide a structured pathway for members to thrive in all stages of their education, including post-secondary education, and gain valuable job experience that will help them develop successful careers as adults.
More than 86 percent of the organization’s annual budget goes toward youth programming. Charity Navigator, America’s largest and most-utilized charity evaluator, has given BGCGM its highest rating of four stars. For more information, please visit www.boysgirlsclubs.org.
ABOUT THE YMCA OF METROPOLITAN MILWAUKEE
The YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee is a powerful association of men, women and children of all ages and walks of life joined together by a shared vision to create a healthier, stronger and safer Milwaukee where families of all incomes and backgrounds truly thrive. Supported by the generosity and vision of our benefactors, the Milwaukee Y offers solutions that reduce health issues that plague our community, such as chronic diseases and preventable injuries; provides safe places seven-days-a-week where kids can have fun, families can gather and seniors can build meaningful connections; serves as an access point for vital community needs, such as preventative health care and reliable, safe before- and afterschool care; partners with families, schools and other non-profits to help kids grow into productive adults; and makes fitness fun and accessible for all. Comprising five locations throughout the Milwaukee area, as well as YMCA Camp Minikani on the shores of Lake Amy Belle in Hubertus, Wisconsin, the Milwaukee Y has been a part of the lives of the greater Milwaukee area’s kids and families since 1858. For more information, visit www.ymcamke.org