VyStar Credit Union Empowers Youth in Foster Care Through Hands-On Financial Fitness Reality Fair

yStar Credit Union, together with Family Partnerships of Central Florida and the Orlando Magic, will host a Financial Fitness Reality Fair to empower youth in foster care with real-world money skills. Taking place on Friday, June 20, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Kia Center, the event offers youth aged 13-23 an immersive experience to build confidence in managing personal finances. This engaging hands-on format helps participants navigate everyday budgeting decisions in a supportive environment that removes common barriers to banking and financial education. The Reality Fair is part of VyStar’s broader Financial Fitness initiative, which includes Foster Friendly branches that support current and former youth in foster care with tailored financial services.
 
Youth in foster care often face unique financial barriers, including limited access to banking services and a lack of financial education. According to the National Foster Youth Institute, fewer than half of youth in foster care receive formal financial training before they transition into adulthood, contributing to higher rates of poverty, debt, and housing insecurity. Additional data shows that only about 50% of foster youth finish high school, and just 3-4% go on to earn a four-year college degree. VyStar is committed to changing that trajectory by expanding access to financial education and services that empower foster youth to build stable, independent futures.
 
The Reality Fair includes stations that simulate everyday expenses like housing, transportation, and groceries, helping participants learn how to manage a monthly budget. As part of the event, youth ages 16 and older can open a VyStar account in partnership with the credit union’s debit card processor FISERV and participants will receive an Orlando Magic Visa debit card along with a $100 deposit to help begin their financial journey. IDignity, a Central Florida non-profit that assists vulnerable populations in obtaining personal identification documents, will also be on site to assist participants with obtaining Florida ID cards. Free lunch and refreshments will be provided.
 
“Watching these young people grow more confident as they learn to manage their money is incredibly inspiring,” said Dana Karzan, Chief Marketing Officer, VyStar Credit Union. “We’re not just teaching financial skills; we’re helping them envision a future where they feel empowered to make smart decisions and build lasting independence. It’s an investment in their success, and we see the impact every time we host this type of event.”
 
VyStar is committed to empowering its members with the knowledge and tools they need to achieve lasting financial wellness. Through its Financial Fitness initiatives, VyStar offers free educational resources, personalized coaching, and interactive programs like the Financial Fitness Quiz and Reality Fairs. These efforts are designed to meet members where they are, helping them build confidence, make informed decisions, and take meaningful steps toward a stronger financial future.
 
“We’re excited to partner with VyStar Credit Union on this meaningful initiative,” said Phil Scarpelli, President and CEO of Family Partnerships of Central Florida. “Financial education is a key to independence, and we want every young person in our care to feel capable and prepared for their future.”
 
VyStar’s Financial Fitness Reality Fairs and educational programs have empowered thousands of students across Florida and Georgia to gain confidence in managing money, building savings, and setting financial goals. These efforts are part of the credit union’s larger mission to expand access to financial education and services, especially for unbanked and underserved communities so that every young person has the tools to build a secure financial future.  
 
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About VyStar Credit Union
VyStar Credit Union is the second-largest credit union headquartered in Florida, with 78 full-service branches across Florida and Georgia, 1 million members and assets of over $14 billion. VyStar is the top mortgage lender in Northeast Florida and a major employer in the region with over 2,300 employees across the communities it serves. VyStar membership is open to everyone who lives or works in the 49 contiguous counties of Central to North Florida, 29 Georgia counties, and past and present military members and their families all over the world. VyStar members have access to 55,000 surcharge free ATMs worldwide.  For more information, visit vystarcu.org, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and LinkedIn.   
 
Family Partnerships of Central Florida
Family Partnerships of Central Florida is committed to protecting children, strengthening families and changing lives through a comprehensive, integrated, community-based system of care that provides adoption, foster care and independent living services for children and families in Brevard, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. Contracted with the Florida Department of Children and Families as the lead child welfare agency in the four-county area, Family Partnerships of Central Florida's mission is to ensure that the children it serves thrive in safe, healthy and loving families.