According to the United States government, a 2014 study showed 18% of 15-year-olds did not have fundamental financial skills. The United Way is working to change that.

In partnership with local organizations, Capital Region youth have spent the past several months in the “Danny Dollar Academy.”

“We hear a lot from a lot of our program partners that kids get told their career path has to be A, B or C. This is really about saying your career path can be what you want it to be if you put the work in,” says Claire Reid, United Way of the Greater Capital Region’s chief impact officer.

“Danny Dollar” is a book written by Bronx native Ty Allan Jackson. The book, geared toward third through fifth graders, tells the story of a young man navigating the world of business ownership.

The “Danny Dollar Academy” expands further, teaching kids about profits, banking and loans.

Students at Girls Inc. presented a final project to Reid, which included plan to create a convenience store at Girls Inc., where they’ll have all they need for after-school fun.

“It really seemed to be a really inclusive idea building space, and they were thinking about their whole community when they designed this store,” says Reid.

The girls worked to create a list of items they’d sell, prices and job assignments. Those at Girls Inc. say the next logical step would be to see if they can make the store a reality.

Reid says she was impressed with the presentation and believes the skills will help the kids down the line.

“We do believe that it’s really important that all kids, starting really young, learn about money and how to manage money, and it’s just great information,” says Reid.

This is the first year of the United Way’s pilot program, which also included 4th Family. The United Way hopes to expand and include other community partners in the future.