MyPath

MyPath’s vision is that every youth and young adult in this country has the chance to make their first paycheck not just about income, but lasting economic security. We build strong foundations for upward economic mobility by connecting working youth growing up in low-income communities with opportunities to bank and build savings, credit, and financial confidence. MyPath began as a youth banking and financial education initiative at a San Francisco Mission District credit union. Over the past 10 years, MyPath has grown to partner nationally with credit unions, municipalities, and youth employment programs in 13 locations, providing technical assistance, youth-driven financial capability resources, and a robust technology platform. To learn more about MyPath, visit us at MyPathUS.org.

Our Values

Boost youth power today     

Youth are not only the future, they are the present. We need their leadership today; we want them at the table now, influencing the decisions that shape their lives. We see youth as experts in their own lives, as partners in designing solutions and advocating for change so youth can achieve their dreams and secure a path to economic mobility.

Eliminate the racial wealth gap                                                        

Today’s racial wealth gap is the result of intentional and racially driven economic and social policies, redlining among them.  Financial exclusion more broadly— lack of access to quality saving and borrowing tools and the presence of predatory financial services — which disproportionately impacts youth, people of color, immigrants, women and LGBTQ people, has been a major driver of the racial wealth gap. We need a new financial system that ensures equitable access to economic opportunity for every young person of color so they can build financial security and wealth.

Foster trust

Trust is the bedrock of reciprocal connections among youth, youth employment programs, financial institutions and financial coaches, that will lead us to a new equitable system of economic opportunity. We believe new standards and practices, anchored by transparency and accountability, can replace fear and suspicion with trust.

Lead through innovation

We believe in participatory design, continuous learning, diverse perspectives — in particular those of young people —, data analysis and ongoing improvement to innovate and share new ideas, models and best practices to advance youth financial inclusion and economic opportunity. We tirelessly challenge the status quo and conventional wisdom through innovation and share our learnings to create equitable financial and economic structures that work for youth of color.                               

Spark systems change

To achieve our vision for a new opportunity infrastructure that eliminates the racial wealth gap, we need to connect our innovative practices and lessons to systems level changes and advocacy. We believe in the power of youth voices and stories combined with data, best practices and robust partnerships to transform organizations, cities, and federal policies and create lasting change.