Queens Teens Teach Financial Literacy to 35 Middle School Students at Steinway Library

ASTORIA, NY — June 2026 — More than 35 middle school students from across Northwestern Queens recently participated in a free Financial Literacy Workshop hosted by Projekt NYC at the Queens Public Library's Steinway Branch.

What made the program especially unique was that it was designed and taught entirely by high school students serving on Projekt NYC's Teen Advisory Council.

Over the course of several months, council members developed a curriculum focused on essential personal finance concepts, including budgeting, saving, responsible spending, and making informed financial decisions. The students then transformed those lessons into an engaging, age-appropriate workshop featuring interactive activities designed specifically for middle school learners.

The workshop was led by Teen Advisory Council members who not only taught the material but also encouraged participants to think about their future goals, financial responsibility, and the importance of community involvement.

"This program demonstrates the power of young people teaching and inspiring one another," said Ted Psahos of Projekt NYC. "Our Teen Advisory Council members invested countless hours developing this curriculum and preparing to teach. Watching them confidently lead a classroom and seeing younger students so engaged in the material was incredibly rewarding."

All middle school participants received certificates of completion and community service verification letters recognizing their active participation in the program.

The workshop is part of Projekt NYC's ongoing commitment to providing leadership opportunities for high school students while expanding access to educational and enrichment programs for younger students throughout New York City.

Several Teen Advisory Council members played key roles in the development of the curriculum and delivery of the program, including Alexander Verwoert, Sophia Freire, Elsa Lucas, Sophia La Cotera, and other student leaders who contributed to lesson planning, classroom activities, promotion, and participant engagement.

The workshop also served as a model for Projekt NYC's Freedom to Learn Financial Literacy Challenge, a citywide competition that invites high school students to create relatable financial literacy lessons for middle school audiences. Through the challenge, students are encouraged to develop educational content that makes important financial concepts accessible, engaging, and relevant to younger learners.

Select winners of the Financial Literacy Challenge will be invited to work with Projekt NYC during the 2026–2027 school year to present workshops like the Steinway Library program at libraries, schools, and community organizations throughout Queens. Winners will receive mentorship and support in refining their curriculum and delivering lessons to middle school students across the borough.

Projekt NYC expects to announce the winners of the Financial Literacy Challenge in August 2026.

By empowering teens to become educators and community leaders, Projekt NYC hopes to expand financial literacy education while providing high school students with opportunities to develop leadership, public speaking, curriculum development, and mentorship skills.

About Projekt NYC

Projekt NYC is an Astoria-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping middle and high school students develop leadership skills through community service, educational programming, civic engagement, mentorship, and creative expression. Through youth-led initiatives, Projekt NYC empowers students to make a lasting impact in their communities while preparing for future academic and professional success.

For more information about youth programs, you may visit their website at www.projektnyc.org or contact them at info@projektnyc.org.