How You can Help Teens Make Better Life and Money Choices

Join Brighton Jones in helping eighth graders make positive educational choices that will increase their career and life opportunities.

A significant share of Americans makes financial and life decisions without the foundational knowledge that could help them avoid common pitfalls. While the number of schools requiring students to learn essential money skills is on the rise, experts agree the need has never been greater.

That’s why you’re invited to join Brighton Jones and CHOICES Education Group in becoming a volunteer and supporter to help boost financial literacy and decision-making among middle school students.

“Whether we realized it or not, we were making life-changing choices about our lives in the eighth grade. What we prioritized, how hard we worked, and how we managed our time—all of which had an impact on the rest of our lives that we didn’t fully understand at the time.”

Leo Muller
CHOICES Education Group Executive Director

CHOICES helps eighth graders discover their personal power, realize how their choices impact their future, and explore how completing high school—and pursuing education beyond high school—can create a richer life for themselves, their families, and their communities. The workshop also introduces students to valuable life skills such as self-discipline, time management, decision making, and goal setting. More than 6 million students across the U.S. have participated in the teacher-approved workshop since it first launched in 1985.

“By partnering with CHOICES, Brighton Jones is increasing the impact within our communities while creating more robust volunteer opportunities for colleagues and clients,” said CHOICES Executive Director Leo Muller. “CHOICES benefits from the partnership by leveraging Brighton Jones’ expertise in financial education and commitment to community.”

Brighton Jones CEO and co-founder Jon Jones has personally delivered CHOICES in the classroom, and believes in the power of the workshops.

“We’re grateful to have the opportunity to impact the future of middle school students in our communities where we have offices,” Jones said. “Over the past 37 years, CHOICES Education Group has proven that their program is creating better outcomes for kids, and we are both honored and excited to have our clients and teammates partner with CHOICES to deliver life-changing messages that matter.”

During the pandemic, 19 Brighton Jones volunteers paired up to deliver an online version of CHOICES to 930 students in King County, Washington. Now that this interactive workshop can be hosted in person or virtually, a growing cadre of colleagues have begun delivering the full version of the workshop in middle school classrooms.

“Whether we realized it or not, we were making life-changing choices about our lives in the eighth grade,” Muller said. “What we prioritized, how hard we worked, and how we managed our time—all of which had an impact on the rest of our lives that we didn’t fully understand at the time.”

For today’s teens the stakes are even higher, with more people and technologies influencing the way they think, speak, and act.

“This is why we believe all eighth graders need to hear the CHOICES messaging, and why we’re partnering with Brighton Jones to grow this platform and amplify this message across the country,” Muller said.

In addition, CHOICES Education Group and Brighton Jones team members have partnered together to create a new financial education workshop for eighth graders that is being tested in local schools and will be launched this fall. This workshop will help students who are starting to get their first jobs learn how to earn, budget, save, and spend their money thoughtfully.

As a volunteer, you will receive training and all the tools and resources needed to succeed. You can pair up with a friend, family member, colleague, or even a Brighton Jones advisor, and then be scheduled into schools in your community based on your availability. You can partner with us to put compassion into action for students right where you live and work.

The cost of providing these workshops is $16.67 per student served. Whether you choose to volunteer as a CHOICES presenter, you can join Brighton Jones and numerous other grantors and donors in supporting workshop delivery with your financial donation.

You are also invited to join Brighton Jones and the Lake Union Rotary Club for an evening in support of CHOICES from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday, August 18 at the Center for Wooden Boats in Seattle.

Please email philanthropy@brightonjones.com if you’d like to learn more, volunteer as a classroom presenter, involve your business as a volunteer organization, request or sponsor CHOICES for a school or school district, attend the August 18 event, or make a donation to CHOICES Education Group.