8 Cents in a Jar was founded in 2016 with a bold vision: transforming the financial futures of under-resourced youth in Central Florida. While many organizations focus on adults, financial literacy must begin early to prevent poverty and create lasting change. Educating youth ages 8 to 28 empowers them to save money, build wealth, and break the cycle of generational poverty long before adulthood. 8 Cents in a Jar represents a new beginning for students to save money and eradicate the cycle of generational poverty. 

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Our mission is to enlighten youth from under-resourced communities with financial life skills and resources to prevent poverty and rise to a higher economic position.​ Each day we accomplish our mission, we achieve our vision of transforming youth from under-resourced communities into financially independent adults, fostering wealth and resilience in their families and communities.

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A product of poverty, our founder, Lashea Reaves, saw firsthand the increasing percentage of children born to parents in poverty, welfare, and marginalized communities, perpetuating a generational cycle of welfare use.