Prosperity Kids combines matched Child Savings Accounts with personal, social and financial support for the entire family. Parental education, incentives and a multi-year commitment makes the Prosperity Kids program unique among other CSAs. Evidence shows that having even a small amount of money set aside for college improves educational outcomes in both the short term and long term. We’ve seen elementary reading and math scores rise along with high school and college graduation rates.
In Abiquiu, savings accounts for Head Start children, who are ages 3-5 years old, are seeded with an initial $100. Parents can deposit as much as they are able, and deposits are matched 1:1 up to $100 per year for at least 5 years, and up to age 18 contingent on funding. The accounts are “custodial” accounts in the child’s name. The funds can only be used for college or vocational education or training costs, or for a stable transition into adulthood after age 23.
Emergency savings accounts are opened for each parent, seeded with $50 plus up to two $25 (per year) “incentive deposits,” which are activities designated by the Abiquiu Head Start program that support healthy outcomes for the kids.
Luciente Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose central mission is to understand and address the needs related to poverty in our region.
Founded in 1998, Luciente serves Rio Arriba County and is based in Abiquiu, NM. Our programs include Abiquiu Prosperity Kids, through which we establish Child Savings Accounts and family Emergency Accounts for the families of children enrolled in Abiquiu Head Start. Other direct programs include the Abiquiu Farmers Market, and the Abiquiu Guide. Luciente also offers fiscal sponsorship for community projects and programs. In small, rural communities, it is easy for promising new initiatives to flounder unless there is assistance available to help them get started. Luciente fills this need. Sponsored programs include Rio Arriba Concerned Citizens and the Abiquiu Chamber Music Festival.
PO Box 607