Arrow , has awarded a charitable contribution of $25,000 to the Young Americans Center for Financial Education, based in Denver, Colo., near Arrow's offices in Englewood.  The gift will allow hundreds of 5th grade and 7th grade students to participate in hands-on programs that teach youth about free enterprise and global economics. 

This gift is a result of Young Americans' “Adopt-A-School” program that pairs business partners with schools that want to participate in Young AmeriTowne, a free enterprise program for 5th graders, or International Towne, a global economics program for 7th graders. The culminating experience of each program is spending a day running Young AmeriTowne or a day running International Towne, located at 3550 E. First Ave. in Denver.

Young AmeriTowne students that will benefit from Arrow's gift attend Stein Elementary, Montview Elementary, Virginia Court Elementary or Holly Hills Elementary; International Towne students attend Scott Carpenter Middle School. 

“Arrow is pleased to support these five schools and provide students a hands-on experience with the principals of domestic and international commerce,” said Lance Sedlak, director, Marketing, Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions, and a member of Arrow's Charitable Contribution Committee. “We are thrilled to think that we might have some impact on these students in terms of how they think about the world and their own futures once they've participated in this outstanding program.”

Young AmeriTowne is a hands-on experience that introduces 5th grade students to the basic principals of our economic system.  In the classroom students spend weeks learning about banking, supply and demand, government, communications, philanthropy and more.  Those lessons come to life when they take on jobs and come to Young AmeriTowne for a day to run a life-like town of 17 businesses.

International Towne is a hands-on experience that helps 7th graders learn an array of international economic concepts such as cultural awareness, citizenship, currency exchange, and world trade.  After weeks of classroom preparation, students-turned-world citizens attend International Towne and run a life-like world of 16 countries for a day.

Young Americans Center for Financial Education is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to further the financial and economic education of young people 21 and under.  The Center houses Young Americans Bank, Young AmeriTowne, International Towne and programs for young entrepreneurs. Every year more than 41,000 young people participate in these programs or real-life experiences.  For more information call 303-321-2265 or visit www.yacenter.org .