Celebrating champions for financial security: Treasurer Read announces recipients of new annual Oregon Financial Empowerment Awards
Inaugural winners are Oregon State Credit Union and Parkrose Middle School math teacher Ryan Ashlock
Across the state, unsung heroes are helping Oregonians to be better equipped to make financial choices and lead more secure lives.
Today, State Treasurer Tobias Read announced the winners of the inaugural Oregon State Treasury Financial Empowerment Awards, which were created to celebrate champions who go the extra mile to promote financial literacy and financial inclusion.
“Oregon is stronger when more Oregonians are financially secure,” said Treasurer Read. “I’m thrilled to recognize these standouts for their efforts in classrooms and communities to help more people safely navigate today’s financial landscape.”
The awardees are: Financial Empowerment Educator of the Year: Ryan Ashlock, a Parkrose Middle School math teacher who created and teaches a popular personal finance course in the state’s most diverse school district. This is his first recognition by any entity for his outstanding financial education efforts.
Ashlock will receive $1,500 and Parkrose Middle School will receive $500. In addition, students chosen at random at the school will share a total of $500 in scholarships from the Oregon College Savings Plan. Parkrose Middle School Principal Annette Sweeney said the course is offering a huge benefit for the students and also their families in the largely low-income Northeast Portland neighborhood. At the school, 85 percent of the student population qualifies for free or reduced lunch.
“Ryan has taken on this new financial literacy course with enthusiasm and provided real life experiences for our students as they use math concepts and begin to think about financial options in the future,” Sweeney said. Financial Empowerment Community Champion: Oregon State Credit Union, based in Corvallis and serving 24 Oregon counties, which helped create a new workbook connecting mindful mental health and financial wellness as part of its comprehensive financial literacy outreach efforts through schools and numerous nonprofits.
“On behalf of our over 132,000 member-owners and community education partners, we are humbled to receive the inaugural Oregon State Treasury Financial Empowerment Community Champion Award,” said Richard S. Hein, President/CEO of Oregon State Credit Union. “We recognize that financial literacy is essential to financial equity and inclusion, and we will continue to provide financial education as a sustaining resource to our communities.”
The Financial Empowerment Community Champion organization receives $2,000, plus can “pay it forward” and select another financial empowerment-focused organization or effort to receive $500. The credit union will donate the entire $2,500 to community partners, Hein said.
The inaugural winners were announced as part of Treasury’s observance of Financial Literacy Month. Nominations came from across the state and the winners were selected by a subcommittee of the Financial Empowerment Advisory Team, which meets quarterly to amplify financial literacy and financial inclusion efforts statewide. The citizen board helps guide Treasurer Read’s new Financial Empowerment Initiative.
The Treasurer encouraged all nominators and the nominees to enter again, and to encourage others to do so as well. Entries will be accepted beginning in November for the 2023 awards.
The awards are sponsored in partnership with the Oregon College Savings Plan, a Treasury program that helps Oregonians statewide save for job training and higher education costs – which reduces the need for student debt later.
“Oregon is stronger when more Oregonians are financially secure,” said Treasurer Read. “I’m thrilled to recognize these standouts for their efforts in classrooms and communities to help more people safely navigate today’s financial landscape.”
The awardees are: Financial Empowerment Educator of the Year: Ryan Ashlock, a Parkrose Middle School math teacher who created and teaches a popular personal finance course in the state’s most diverse school district. This is his first recognition by any entity for his outstanding financial education efforts.
Ashlock will receive $1,500 and Parkrose Middle School will receive $500. In addition, students chosen at random at the school will share a total of $500 in scholarships from the Oregon College Savings Plan. Parkrose Middle School Principal Annette Sweeney said the course is offering a huge benefit for the students and also their families in the largely low-income Northeast Portland neighborhood. At the school, 85 percent of the student population qualifies for free or reduced lunch.
“Ryan has taken on this new financial literacy course with enthusiasm and provided real life experiences for our students as they use math concepts and begin to think about financial options in the future,” Sweeney said. Financial Empowerment Community Champion: Oregon State Credit Union, based in Corvallis and serving 24 Oregon counties, which helped create a new workbook connecting mindful mental health and financial wellness as part of its comprehensive financial literacy outreach efforts through schools and numerous nonprofits.
“On behalf of our over 132,000 member-owners and community education partners, we are humbled to receive the inaugural Oregon State Treasury Financial Empowerment Community Champion Award,” said Richard S. Hein, President/CEO of Oregon State Credit Union. “We recognize that financial literacy is essential to financial equity and inclusion, and we will continue to provide financial education as a sustaining resource to our communities.”
The Financial Empowerment Community Champion organization receives $2,000, plus can “pay it forward” and select another financial empowerment-focused organization or effort to receive $500. The credit union will donate the entire $2,500 to community partners, Hein said.
The inaugural winners were announced as part of Treasury’s observance of Financial Literacy Month. Nominations came from across the state and the winners were selected by a subcommittee of the Financial Empowerment Advisory Team, which meets quarterly to amplify financial literacy and financial inclusion efforts statewide. The citizen board helps guide Treasurer Read’s new Financial Empowerment Initiative.
The Treasurer encouraged all nominators and the nominees to enter again, and to encourage others to do so as well. Entries will be accepted beginning in November for the 2023 awards.
The awards are sponsored in partnership with the Oregon College Savings Plan, a Treasury program that helps Oregonians statewide save for job training and higher education costs – which reduces the need for student debt later.
Contacts
Amy Wojcicki
Treasurer Read’s office
Oregon State Treasury
503-373-7406
Treasurer Read’s office
Oregon State Treasury
503-373-7406
Kasey Krifka
Oregon Savings Network
Oregon State Treasury
503-431-7976
Oregon Savings Network
Oregon State Treasury
503-431-7976
Rachel Wray
Public Information Director
Oregon State Treasury
503-378-5474
Public Information Director
Oregon State Treasury
503-378-5474
