Tolleson Team Honors Financial Literacy Month Through Service

April 27, 2023
3 Min read

Across the Tolleson team, employees use their expertise and passion to uplift their community through financial wellness. In recognition of April being Financial Literacy Month, here are some ways the team is investing in financial literacy for the community:

Staff Accountant Kay Arnette mentored at Brother Bill’s Helping Hand in its Pathways Faith & Finances Initiative. She pays it forward by discussing budgeting and helping others learn to live within their means. And beyond budgeting, she helps with overall household management like finances, credit, setting goals, accountability, saving, and passing this knowledge to children. “It was once me that needed guidance, and someone took time and patience to teach me, and I’m grateful to have these teachable moments,” Kay said.

Tolleson Private Bank leadership team members Steve Westerheide, Executive Vice President, and Alta Mantsch, Senior Vice President, have worked alongside Wesley Rankin Community Center to develop financial literacy as part of the Aspiring Professionals program for high school students. Aimed to help break the cycle of poverty, the program provides students with a comprehensive path for a higher paying job through training with technical skills, soft skills, and internship opportunities. Working in a focus group, these volunteers from Tolleson helped redesign the financial literacy program for the Aspiring Professionals program to be sustainable and impactful for families, especially for future generations.

Chief Administrative Officer Tracie Klein serves as President on the Wesley Rankin Community Center Board of Directors and regularly contributes time to assist in resume writing, interview preparation, and providing direction to the development of this program.

Additional impact in the West Dallas community includes Tolleson-provided guidance for senior citizens on scams targeting older Americans. Associate Private Banking Officer Javier Salinas-Contel led interactive classes in Spanish in response to the need and as ever-changing financial scams continue to impact this community.

Through WiNGS and its mission to provide services to domestic violence survivors, Director Brandon Turner taught financial literacy courses offered in its programming and aimed to bring financial concepts into practice. “Seeing the light bulb come on with a member is always very rewarding,” he commented about the experience.

Working with the Wilkinson Center, a team from Tolleson Private Bank collaboratively taught interactive classes on topics like savings, credit, and debt management, providing programs in both English and Spanish.

Supporting 2022-2023 community partner Bonton Farms, the Tolleson team is working on a financial wellness initiative for the Bonton community. Working collaboratively with other financial institutions, classes are launching to create solutions around budgeting, saving, credit repair, homeownership, and estates and wills. Tolleson Private Bank’s Kate Perry, Credit Analyst, participated in listening sessions with community members to hear the individual experiences taking place and assess where solutions can be applied. Classes are intended to provide a roadmap to increase financial well-being.

Tolleson, in its mission to serve, instills a people-focused approach to address financial literacy needs around underserved areas of Dallas. Knowing that everyone has unique goals for their future, the team continually strives to listen to these goals and walk alongside the community as its residents work towards a better future. We are proud to serve as a valuable partner and resource for all individuals and families.

Tolleson Private Bank, Member FDIC.