Treasurer Diossa Celebrates Financial Literacy Month by Expanding Financial Education Program in Newport

Treasurer Diossa Celebrates Financial Literacy Month by Expanding Financial Education Program in Newport

Published on Friday, April 03, 2026

Newport, RI - General Treasurer James A. Diossa was joined by representatives from The City of Newport, Newport Public Schools, BankNewport, and the Financial Capabilities Consortium to celebrate the expansion of the Financial Capabilities Consortium Program at Thompson Middle School in Newport.

The program will provide over 100 Newport 8th graders with a combination of FLY Initiative's in-classroom financial literacy coursework and real-world exposure to local banking. Students participating in the program are eligible to open a savings account through BankNewport, which includes an introductory deposit of $50. BankNewport will provide in-person workshops focused on banking careers and services. CFA Society Providence will also oversee data collection and analysis, and Millennial RI will offer in-school coaching on networking and skill-building, helping students develop confidence for their future careers.

"The earlier students learn about personal finances and the financial world in general, the better prepared they will be to navigate important life decisions and build wealth," said General Treasurer James A. Diossa."As a teenager, I didn't have access to these important lessons. I'm excited to be launching the Financial Capabilities Consortium Program here in Newport, empowering 8th grade students and their families with financial literacy skills and real-world experience."

"Thank you, to BankNewport, Newport Public School, and all of the Consortium members, for being such dedicated local partners, and for your commitment to supporting financial literacy," Diossa added."This is exactly the type of program we need to support Rhode Island students and families as they work to build and retain wealth."

"Thompson Middle School eighth graders have been very lucky to take part in an innovative financial literacy program that has really brought together stakeholders from the education world and the financial world. This is new, it is much needed and it is a consistent and reliable body of financial learning that will help our Thompson Middle School eighth-grade students prepare for the future with financial optimism and knowledge," said Elizabeth Raffa, Assistant Principal at the Frank E. Thompson Middle School."Mrs. Wendy Randle and Mr. Nathan Ventura work tirelessly with TMS eighth graders to provide them with some strong financial groundwork on which to grow, we could not be happier with this program."

"At BankNewport, we believe financial literacy is one of the most important life skills young people can develop. As a bank headquartered in this community, it means a great deal to partner with the Rhode Island State Treasurer's office and Newport Public Schools on this powerful education initiative,"said Jack Murphy, President & CEO, BankNewport."Experiences like this will give all 8th grade students at Thompson Middle School the opportunity to connect classroom learning with everyday financial decisions they will one day make on their own. By making these lessons more accessible and relevant, we can help students feel better prepared, more confident, and empowered as they begin planning for their future."

Treasurer Diossa created the Financial Capability Consortium in 2023 to identify opportunities to strengthen financial education in our urban core communities. With funding from the Rhode Island Foundation, the Consortium surveyed and spoke directly to school districts, individuals, and partner organizations to identify needs in urban core communities and across the state. The Financial Capabilities Consortium Program is a direct result of this research, and a first step in implementing community-based financial literacy education for students starting in 8th grade.

Launched in 2024 at Calcutt Middle School in Central Falls in partnership with Navigant Credit Union, this financial education program has helped around 200 students. This curriculum has also expanded to Woonsocket at Hamlet Middle School (also with Navigant) and Villa Nova Middle School in partnership with Bristol County Savings Bank.

"FLY is proud to partner with the Office of the General Treasurer to expand access to financial literacy across Rhode Island," said Marcy Reyes, CEO Fly Initiative."Through this work, Treasurer Diossa is helping to build a lasting legacy, one that empowers young people and families with the knowledge and tools they need to achieve long-term financial stability and success."

Rhode Island Financial Capability Consortium Members:

• James A Diossa, General Treasurer
• Ranika L. Reyes, Office of the General Treasurer
• Marcy Reyes, FLY Initiative
• Brittany Brown, RIDE
• Steve Osborn, RIDE
• Janet Benitez, Capital Good Fund
• Al Cumplido, CFA Society Providence
• Travis Escobar, Fidelity Investments & Millennial RI
• Lee Lewis, Junior Achievement RI

For more information, visit https://treasury.ri.gov/programs/rhode-island-financial-capability-consortium