Programs
Abiquiu Prosperity Kids!
Child Savings Accounts (CSAs) for three- to five-year-old children in the Abiquiu Head Start program
Abiquiu Prosperity Kids combines matched Child Savings Accounts with personal, social and financial support for the entire family. Parental education, incentives and a multi-year commitment makes the Prosperity Kids program unique among other CSAs.
Evidence shows that having even a small amount of money set aside for college improves educational outcomes in both the short and long term. We’ve seen elementary reading and math scores rise along with high school and college graduation rates.
In Abiquiu, savings accounts for Head Start children, who are ages three to five years old, are seeded with an initial $100. Parents can deposit as much as they are able, and deposits are matched 1:1 up to $100 per year for at least five years, up to age 18 and contingent on funding. The accounts are “custodial” accounts in the child’s name. The funds can only be used for college or vocational education or training costs (paid directly to the educational organization), or for a stable “transition into adulthood” after age 23.
Emergency savings accounts are opened for each parent, seeded with $50 plus up to two $25 per year “incentive deposits,” which are activities designated by the Abiquiu Head Start program that support healthy outcomes for the kids.
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Do CSAs really work? Research confirms, YES!
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Kids with CSAs are four to six times more likely to attend college
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Kids with CSAs are three and a half times more likely to earn a college degree
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Moms of children with CSAs are 50% less likely to experience depression
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Kids with CSAs are substantially ahead of their peers in social and emotional development by preschool
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Kids with CSAs are substantially ahead in language and math in 3rd grade
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Kids and families take on a “future orientation and a college going identity”–– they expect success
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These benefits occur with both small and larger amounts of funds in the CSA
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CSAs are real, tangible hope for the future
Luciente, Inc. is the local agent for the Abiquiu Prosperity Kids Project. Prosperity Kids is an initiative of Prosperity Works, a nonprofit based in Albuquerque. Luciente is collaborating with Prosperity Works, YDI/Head Start and Guadalupe Credit Union to bring this life-changing initiative to Abiquiu.
We provide Abiquiu Head Start with information, encouragement and support to families. We are also responsible for community outreach and fundraising for Abiquiu Prosperity Kids. Donations help kids get ahead on their path to college, learning a trade, launching a career and successfully entering into adulthood.
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