We’re back for another exciting summer at Operation Breakthrough, and this year, our partnership is bigger and better than ever.

As part of OB’s Ignition Lab, a workforce development program for youth ages 14–18, Pathway Financial Education is once again delivering real-world financial empowerment programming to students who are earning, learning, and building bright futures.

This marks our third consecutive summer partnering with OB, and we’re proud to share that the program officially launched on June 2 and will run through July 11.

About the Ignition Lab

The Ignition Lab gives students opportunities to explore hands-on career pathways in fields like graphic design, mechatronics, green tech, culinary arts, podcasting, product design, and more. Pathway is honored to be part of that experience by offering financial education as a foundational life skill, no matter what path students choose.

What We’re Teaching: Real Life, Right Now

Our summer program gives students a strong foundation in the financial skills they’ll use every day—whether they’re managing their first paychecks, planning for college, or dreaming up future business ideas.

Topics include:

  • Setting financial goals and building a budget

  • Understanding bank accounts, savings tools, and emergency funds

  • Navigating student loans and comparing college options

  • Learning about credit, debt, and protecting personal information

  • Exploring post-high school pathways, including trade school, entrepreneurship, and direct-to-work options

We also tailor lessons to reflect the realities that today’s teens are facing. One session, for example, dives into the risks of Buy Now, Pay Later platforms, teaching students to recognize financial traps and make informed decisions as consumers.

“They’re getting real paychecks for being part of the Ignition Lab. That’s exactly why this is the right time to help them learn how to manage money, make smart choices, and start building habits that will serve them long after the summer ends.” – Angelique Cheatem, Program Manager

What’s New This Year

This summer, we’ve expanded both the structure and the team:

  • We’re now teaching Monday through Friday, with three 30-minute sessions on Mondays and two one-hour sessions each Tuesday through Friday.

  • We’ve welcomed volunteers into the classroom for the first time, allowing more community members to pour into the next generation.

We’ll be working with roughly 80 students throughout the summer, ranging from incoming freshmen to incoming seniors. New students rotate in every two weeks, bringing fresh energy and curiosity to every lesson.

Real Impact, Real Fast

We’ve already seen returning students from past summers eager to build on what they learned, like one teen who came back to evaluate the profit on a business he launched last year.

“One of our students opened a savings account last year, even though her parents didn’t believe in them. She already had a checking account, but came back this summer proud to share how she followed through on the plan she made with us.” – Angelique Cheatem, Program Manager

These moments reflect what this partnership is all about—mindset shifts. It’s not just about knowing how to budget. It’s about helping students believe they can own their future, and giving them the tools to do it.

Looking Ahead

We’re only a few weeks in, but the momentum is strong and the conversations are meaningful. As the summer unfolds, we look forward to seeing how students continue to grow in confidence, curiosity, and financial capability.