Creating and managing a budget, preparing for a job interview and overcoming adversity are common life skills that just about everyone needs at some point.

But how do you master these situations when they’re not taught in the classroom or at home?

Students in the Take Stock in Children (TSIC) of Lake and Sumter program have been coached on those soft skills as well as how to manage stress and how to choose a college major at the Parady Student Learning Lounge, funded by Parady Financial Group. The student program is an offshoot of the Parady Learning Lounge which The Villages-based financial services company offers to clients to teach strategies for retirement. It was the brainchild of Christine and Gregg Baldwin of The Villages who are also clients of Parady. They suggested the program to Greg Parady, CEO, who loved the idea.

On Wednesday, April 14, TSIC students participated in the workshop, “Five Money Lessons for High School Students.” The initial Parady Student Learning Lounge was held in January 2018 and the curriculum focused on dining etiquette. TSIC students have been invited to formal dinners every few months, each with a different topic such as which utensils to use at a formal dinner and other tableside lessons. Due to the pandemic, the Parady Student Learning Lounge sessions have been held virtually for the current school year.

To view the news release with more details on the partnership between Parady Financial Group and TSIC Lake Sumter, click here: