News

Olympic legend and gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee presented a check and accolades on Wednesday, June 14 to the parents and grandparents who successfully completed a 10-week financial literacy course. In part the class was made possible by the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Head Start/Early Head Start Program. 

“Financial literacy is extremely important,” said Joyner-Kersee. “In our community, many people don’t use banks, but go to grocery stores and check cashing places to conduct financial transactions. In doing so, they can be taken advantage of without realizing it, by paying exorbitant fees, among other things.” 

Collaborating on the idea of the financial literacy class were Joyner-Kersee, Associated Bank in East St. Louis and the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Head Start Center in East St. Louis. An anonymous donor provided the funding for the course. 

“We all understand what a burden financial struggles can place on a person. This class was about teaching financial skills to parents so they will be able to pass on to their children,” said Marcia Oliver, SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start Jackie Joyner Kersee Center coordinator. 

“We wanted them to learn how to manage their money and make smart financial choices,” she added. “The class also provided parents with support and got them going in the right direction towards financial freedom.” 

The graduates and their respective child or grandchild included: Candace Taylor Harris (Deontrez Q. Dickerson), Trania Diggs (Royale Prince), Alexis Conyers (Davion Haynes Jr.), Fred Washington (DeShawn Washington) and Lakeesha Thomas (Sha'Keem Thomas). 

“I never knew the importance of credit ratings and reports,” said Alexis Conyers of East St. Louis, mother of 4-year-old Head Start student Davion Haynes Jr. “Your credit score means a lot. You cannot buy a home or a car without a good credit score.” 

In five years, Conyers says she plans to have her credit score in the 700’s. 

“I didn’t know what a 401k plan was either,” said Conyers, who works at the Missouri Botanical Garden. “I will be checking with my employer about how it all works, and if I’m eligible.” 

Candace Taylor-Harris, of Belleville, said the 10-week course taught her how to manage her finances. 

“I definitely had a problem with overspending,” said Taylor-Harris, grandmother of 4-year-old Head Start student Deontrez Q. Dickerson. “When I shop, I feel better. But now, I’ve learned how to block it out of my mind. The class also taught me how to use cash more than credit cards. 

Associated Bank gave each participant $300 for themselves and $700 to start a Bright Start savings account for their child or grandchild. The bank will also keep in touch by offering personal financial coaching and consultation as needed and monthly contacts to review how graduates are monitoring their accounts and making smart financial decisions. 

“We want to continue enriching the lives of people in this community,” Joyner-Kersee said. “I was glad that we were able to help SIUE Head Start families, and I look forward to extending this program.” 

The SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start Program is a nationally recognized quality early childhood education program that promotes school readiness for children and financial self-sufficiency for families. Services are available to St. Clair County expectant parents and families of children ages six weeks to five years old.  The SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start Program provides services to 1,314 children and families and the Early Head Start Program serves 188 children and families. Both programs include children with specialized needs and English as Second Language Learners (ESL). The SIUE Head Start /Early Head Start Program is the winner of six National Head Start Association Awards. Its mission is to provide quality individualized comprehensive services that empower children, families, and staff from diverse backgrounds in order to achieve success.  

The Jackie-Joyner Kersee Foundation – Jackie Joyner-Kersee is committed to ensuring that all children have access to high quality after-school programs, safe recreational places within their communities, and caring adults to help them achieve their dreams. Jackie launched the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation in Los Angeles and moved it to East St. Louis in 1995. Inspired by the closing of her neighborhood community center, Jackie grew the Foundation by raising over $12 million to expand programming and built a comprehensive youth and sports.

 Photos:

Graduates of the Financial Literacy class attend their last day of classes on Wednesday, June 14. The course was sponsored by the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation, Associated Bank in East St. Louis and the SIUE Jackie Joyner-Kersee Head Start/Early Head Start Center. Pictured in front from left to right: Marcia Oliver, SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start Jackie Joyner Kersee Center Coordinator; Tracy Session, Associated Bank district manager and vice president; Lakeesha Thomas, class graduate; Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Trania Diggs, class graduate and Loretta Holmes, branch manager of the Associated Bank in East St. Louis. Back row from left to right: Mike Greenfield, director of programs and facilities at Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation; Fred Washington, class graduate; G. Lynnie Bailey, SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start program director; Candace Taylor Harris and Alexis Conyers, both class graduates; and Megan Toon, sales and support specialist at Associated Bank. 

SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start parent Alexis Conyers of East St. Louis, is all smiles after receiving her gift of money from Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Conyers holds her four-year-old son Davion Haynes Jr.