Empowering Stronger Financial Futures across the District
April is National Financial Literacy Month—and at Tzedek DC, we’re celebrating by sharing how our Financial Empowerment Program is helping our neighbors build knowledge, confidence, and lasting financial stability, while also catalyzing systemic change.
Thanks to the generosity of our community partners and supporters, this spring has been filled with meaningful milestones—from program graduations to advocacy at the DC State Board of Education.
Graduation Time: Supporting New Financial Futures
This spring, Tzedek DC proudly celebrated the graduation of two Financial Empowerment Program cohorts, marking the culmination of eight weeks of learning, reflection, and community building.
Participants engaged in workshops on:
Creating sustainable spending plans
Understanding paychecks and benefits
Credit reports and investments
Identifying scams and knowing their rights
One cohort was offered in partnership with So Others Might Eat (SOME), and another was held virtually—ensuring accessibility and flexibility for participants.
Most powerful of all were the reflections from graduates themselves:
““I am informed and empowered. I am no longer alone.” ”
“This program has helped me realize that financial literacy starts with me, and improving my daily spending habits can set me up for success in the long run.””
““I really enjoyed the community aspect. It helps to know others are trying to improve their lives as well. I wish it weren’t so difficult for so many people, but solidarity is nice.””
These voices reflect what community support makes possible: not just information, but empowerment, connection, and hope.
Building Community Beyond Graduation: Alumni Workshops Launch
Financial empowerment doesn’t end at graduation. We recently launched our first-ever alumni workshops for graduates of the Financial Empowerment Program.
Workshops included:
Reading Your Tax Return, in partnership with American University’s Tax Clinic
Healing Money Wounds, an interactive session exploring how financial trauma impacts financial behaviors and introducing tools for financial healing
It was especially meaningful to bring together alumni from the 2023-2025 cohorts, reconnecting participants and strengthening community.
We are thrilled to continue growing this alumni network and expanding opportunities for ongoing learning and connection—an investment in long-term financial stability.
Advocating for Every DC Student to Have Access to Critical Financial Tools and Basic Skills
While direct services are critical, lasting change also requires policy advocacy.
For generations, all DC public school students received instruction in basic financial literacy and personal finance on items such as budgeting, bank accounts, and loans. That stopped in the wake of the DC Control Board. For over three years, Tzedek DC has been working in coalition to restore financial literacy to the DCPS curriculum. This previously led to the adoption by the DC Office of the State Superintendent (OSSE) of a strong set of standards reflecting Tzedek DC’s input. But for now, the teaching of the topic remains optional and it is not consistently offered to DC high school students. The next key step is to help DC to join the majority of states and make the topic a part of the required experience for every graduating senior.
This spring, Tzedek DC testified before the DC State Board of Education in support of making financial literacy a graduation requirement for DC Public Schools.
As Tzedek DC Financial Counselor Melissa Mazard shared:
“This stage of life is a window of opportunity where we can guide learning and provide students with tools to manage their finances effectively and recover when financial challenges arise. I believe that making financial education a graduation requirement is about preparation and empowerment. At its core, it helps students make informed decisions that support their goals, their values, and the lives they want to build.”
The urgency is clear. The American Public Education Foundation’s 2014–2024 report card gave the District of Columbia a failing grade for financial literacy, noting the need for a stand-alone high school personal finance course.
Tzedek DC’s Founding Director-, Ariel Levinson--Waldman, emphasized the stakes:
“Access to financial education can increase an individual’s lifetime earnings; research shows a six-figure benefit, including reduced overall debt, improved borrowing rates, and smarter investment strategies. We are urging DC to follow this from around the country and in our public school curriculum.”
Following this testimony, WTOP News featured remarks from Ariel and 2025 Financial Empowerment Program graduate, Yewoinhareg Kebede, on the proposal to make financial literacy a DC graduation requirement.
Listen to the radio clip and see more photos from the hearing below:
Thank You for Making This Work Possible
From program graduates gaining confidence in their financial decisions to advocacy that can shape the future for thousands of DC students. Thank you to our donors, partners, and community supporters for making Financial Empowerment possible. Together, we are helping people improve their financial lives today while building a more equitable future.