December 11, 2024
Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts in Partnership with M&T Bank, Launch Financial Empowerment Program to Support Girl Scout Cookie Program
Upon Program Completion, Girl Scouts to Earn Financial Empowerment Patch
Media Contact:
Stacy Wilbur
(Waltham, MA – December 11, 2024) – Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts (GSEMA) announced its latest financial empowerment curriculum in partnership with M&T Bank (NYSE: MTB). Launching in conjunction with the annual Girl Scout Cookie program, the curriculum will help local Girl Scouts to further understand the importance of finance, an essential life skill.
According to the Girl Scout Research Institute (GSRI), financial empowerment in girls is a growing concern. In order to grasp concepts like debt, inflation and unemployment, girls need to start preparing themselves at a young age for their financial future. It’s imperative to create programs for youth to gain an understanding of money management and economics and gain financial education skills to achieve their dreams.
“Partnering with a distinguished financial institution like M&T Bank to enhance the education of our Girl Scouts underscores our shared commitment to empowering the youth of Massachusetts,” said Monica Roberts, CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts. “We are grateful for our exceptional industry partners who support our work in the community, and we thank M&T Bank for their dedication to closing the financial education gap and preparing our girls for future success.”
The financial empowerment program guides Girl Scouts through valuable topics such as goalsetting, budgeting, money-saving tips, and more. This interactive curriculum prepares them with practical financial skills, all while working toward earning a special M&T Bank financial empowerment patch. By completing the program, Girl Scouts gain confidence and essential knowledge to support their cookie sales and beyond.
M&T Bank is the proud partner of the Girl Scout Cookie Program, sponsoring Cookie Rally kits for Girl Scouts across Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts’ 178-community footprint. These kits are designed to help each town host an exciting, engaging cookie rally in honor of the cookie season that kicked off on December 3. Each M&T Bank-branded kit includes essential rally supplies along with a financial empowerment program developed collaboratively by M&T Bank and GSEMA.
“Financial literacy is a critical tool for all young women, teaching resourcefulness while helping them to embrace their independence,” shared Grace Lee, MA Regional President for M&T Bank. “We’re honored to partner with the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts to empower the next generation of women leaders.”
The organizations will kick off the financial education curriculum with an in-person event on December 11 at The Connector at Winthrop Center, where troops will have the opportunity to sell cookies via their largest entrepreneurial program at the new Massachusetts headquarters for M&T Bank. They’ll also participate in an interactive activity and connect with M&T female leader, Grace Lee.
“In advance of welcoming M&T Bank to their new office at Winthrop Center, we are honored to support their partnership with the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts and host the troops in Boston’s newest public gathering space, “said Richard Baumert, principal, Millennium Partners, developer of Winthrop Center.
For more information on Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, please visit www.gsema.org, or follow their social media channels, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, for the latest updates on the organization.
About Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts
Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts (GSEMA) proudly serves 19,000 youth and 12,000 dedicated adult members across 178 communities, inspiring youth to develop courage, confidence, and character to make the world a better place. As the largest girl-serving organization in Massachusetts and the tenth-largest Girl Scout council in the United States, GSEMA plays a pivotal role in shaping future leaders. Girl Scouts is the premier leadership development organization for youth. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, join, or learn more, visit gsema.org.
About M&T Bank
M&T Bank Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York. M&T's principal banking subsidiary, M&T Bank, provides banking products and services in 12 states across the northeastern U.S. from Maine to Virginia and Washington, D.C. Trust-related services are provided in select markets in the U.S. and abroad by M&T’s Wilmington Trustaffiliated companies and by M&T Bank. For more information about M&T Bank, visit www.mtb.com.
About The Connector
The Connector at Winthrop Center is a multi-floor public gathering space and a new Boston landmark. Inherently civic in scale and function and measuring 240 feet long, 65 feet tall by 50 feet wide, The Connector welcomes Winthrop Center residents, office workers and Boston locals and visitors alike to gather in a building setting a new global standard for building performance and energy conservation as the largest Passive House office building in the world. Adding to the vitality of Downtown Boston and financial district, The Connector fosters community and encourages appreciation for the arts and Boston’s rich culture through yearround programming, as well as educational, collaborative, and civic event uses. The Lineup by Michelin-starred Chef John Fraser is the beating heart of The Connector, offering a culinary destination for visitors to enjoy a selection of best-in-class, fast-casual eats. Chef John Fraser's passion for ingredients takes the spotlight at The Vermilion Club, situated on the second floor of The Connector. The modernized chophouse and bar elevate steakhouse staples with dry-aged meats, whole fish, and innovative cocktails. For more information, visit TheConnectorWC.com.
