In the Fall of 2024, the Teens Leading Change (TLC) program, a partnership between the Robertson and Palms-Rancho Park Branch Libraries, embarked on an ambitious project to address a critical issue facing teens today: financial literacy. As part of this initiative, the TLC team developed a comprehensive survey to understand better our peers' financial knowledge, habits, and challenges. The survey rollout has been a resounding success, thanks to the dedication of the TLC members and the community's support. A total of 186 teens participated in the survey!

The Purpose of the Survey

Financial literacy is a vital life skill, yet many teens lack the knowledge and resources to make informed financial decisions. Recognizing this gap, the TLC team focused on understanding the financial literacy landscape among teens. The survey aims to:

1. Assess the current level of financial knowledge among teens.
2. Identify common financial challenges and misconceptions.

By collecting this data, our TLC team hopes to create workshops that are not only educational but also relatable and actionable for our peers.

The Survey Questions

The survey includes various questions designed to gather insights into teens' financial habits, knowledge, and attitudes. Here are some of the key questions:

1. Financial Literacy is defined as "[the] ability to use knowledge and skills to manage one's financial resources effectively for lifetime financial security." Have you learned about Financial Literacy before?
2. How would you rate your knowledge of Financial Literacy on a scale of 1 - 5, with 5 being the highest?
3. How much money do you spend per month?
4. Where does most of your money come from?
5. How do you keep track of your money?
6. Would you be interested in learning more about Financial Literacy in a program developed specifically for Teens?
7. What kinds of financial/money topics would you want to learn more about?

Successful Rollout Strategies

The survey was widely promoted through various channels to ensure a strong response rate. Participants were also entered into the raffle to win a $20 Target or Amazon gift card.

Here's how the TLC team made the rollout a success:

1. Social Media Campaigns: The survey link was shared on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X, reaching a broad audience of teens.
2. School Outreach: Teachers were asked to share the survey on Schoology, and flyers were posted in classrooms and on school bulletin boards. Announcements were made during school assemblies to encourage participation.
3. Library Networks: Local libraries distributed the survey to their teen patrons and displayed flyers with QR codes for easy access.
4. Community Engagement: The survey was promoted at local events and gatherings where teens are present, ensuring a diverse range of respondents.

What’s Next?

The survey responses have been collected, and our TLC team will analyze the data to identify key trends, gaps in knowledge, and areas of interest. This analysis will inform the content and structure of our upcoming financial literacy workshops. The workshops will be designed to address the specific needs and challenges highlighted in the survey, ensuring they are practical, engaging, and impactful. We are excited about the potential of this project to make a real difference in the lives of our peers.

—Written by Antonio Chow and Angelina Chow
Antonio and Angelina are teen volunteers and members of Teens Leading Change. We are students at the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies (LACES).

—Annabella 'Bella' Abrao, Young Adult Librarian, Palms - Rancho Park Branch Library
The Teens Leading Change initiative has funded and launched 52 projects across 60 branches with over 600 participants, including 9 projects across 10 branches that are happening now! Go to lapl.org/teens/tlc for more information.