Imperial Valley SBDC launches bilingual financial literacy book for kids
Adrik Vargas
EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Kids in Imperial County now have a fun new way to learn about money, thanks to a new bilingual coloring and activity book launched by the Imperial Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
The book is part of the SBDC’s broader summer effort to boost financial literacy and spark interest in entrepreneurship, also including QuickBooks classes offered in English and Spanish, and startup game nights for teens, offered in English and Spanish.
“We’re hoping this book really opens the door to those broader conversations that children can have with their parents, and even explore entrepreneurship,” said Viridiana Rosales-Trujillo of the SBDC. “Maybe they have that little bug to create a business of their own…this is a fun way for them to explore.”
The book’s artwork was created by Daniel Belzagy Velarde, a graphic design intern from Imperial Valley College. After proving himself designing flyers and social media content, staff gave him creative freedom with the book.
“To have him intern at our office and create something that is now giving back to the community…is a great way to show young artists they can create something meaningful,” Rosales-Trujillo said.
“They gave me the opportunity to do what I love,” said Velarde. “Since it’s for kids, I was thinking of a lot of round shapes and slightly sharp shapes to make it pop.”
With creativity and community at the core, the SBDC hopes to inspire the next generation, one colorful lesson at a time.