Find out what parents are saying about BKFK!

I believe it might be one of the most pivotal experiences in Jacob's life. Now when something does not work right, he looks for a solution rather than a problem. He and his younger brother say "why don't we invent something to fix this."
Jonathan and Hannah Schwartz, CA

Thank you for helping Ana and so many others bloom. The heart that you have for children is beyond measure. The BKFK experience in NY and beyond is one that will be remembered and shared for a lifetime.
Jayne and Robert Lingenfelder, PA

The whole BKFK experience has been wonderful for us. Kirsten has really benefited from her media roller coaster. She has learned so much that she will use in her future. It has really boosted her confidence.
Lynne Martin, CA

Now I have a daughter that thinks she is the cat's meow!! What a great letter and shirt from you guys- thank you!! Cabrey is ready to start inventing again - and turning every day items into projects- for her next big invention!! Once again you and your company have succeeded in making one of my girls happy and proud of what they can do- Thank you!
Lyn Keller

Oink-a-Saurus

Testimony by Fabian - Inventor of the Oink-A-Saurus Application

Dear Mr. Goldstein,

Thank you for your vision of creating the Financial Futures Competition to help kids learn about saving and investing!  Thank you also for supporting Oink-A-Saurus and me throughout the creation of the app.

I felt very grateful when I heard that the New York Stock Exchange Foundation had agreed to fund the building of the Oink-A-Saurus app and website. I had worked extremely hard on designing Oink-A-Saurus and was not sure if I would win the competition.  Soon after the public online voting started, I earned about 40% of the votes.  I felt optimistic that I might win.  It was sort of like a car race where at first I lurched ahead and was winning.   But later  I felt like I had spun out and fell behind, at which point I felt discouraged. My votes steadily decreased.  I felt a bit disappointed.  Fortunately, the online voting only accounted for 20% of the score, so I still had a chance.  A few weeks later, I got a phone call from BKFK saying that I had won and that I was to be flown to New York to ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange! I was very grateful that my hard work had paid off and that other people appreciated my creation.

I have had an incredible experience working together with the APAX software development team, By Kids For Kids and the New York Stock Exchange Foundation. Through the many communications with the APAX software development team and other supporters, I have learned the valuable communication skill of looking at the world through other people’s perspective. I have also learned to make better decisions by balancing legal compliance, budget, quality, efficiency and timeliness.  I have learned to balance other peoples priorities with my own priorities and to know when to be firm and explain my reasons. I have learned how an idea can become reality through hard work and dedicated support from amazing people such as Norman Goldstein and from organizations such as By Kids For Kids and APAX software.

I have also been empowered because before I created  Oink-A-Saurus, I did not think that I could actually create my own app. Now I know I can do far more than I previously thought I could.  I hope that Oink-A-Saurus will teach kids to save and invest more wisely, teach them the importance of finance and teach them to save not just for themselves but also for others who are in need. Once again, I want to thank BKFK, K12, the NYSE Foundation, Cross-Sea Strategy Advisors and the APAX software team for bringing Oink-a-Saurus to life.

Sincerely,

Fabian Fernandez-Han

Testimony by Fabian's father

Dear Norm,

Now that Fabian's Oink-a-Saurus has launched as a real product into this world, I would like to take a moment to reflect upon the past twelve months and its invaluable impact on Fabian. He has gained vital 21st Century Skills such as empathy, systemic thinking, and project management. Through the dozens of communications he has engaged in over the past year with a variety of stakeholders including the APAX software development team, By Kids For Kids team, and others he has learned to set goals, collaborate, make necessary adjustments "on the fly", interpret information from multiple perspectives, and handle complexity and uncertainty with equanimity. He has also gained an appreciation for the need to balance multiple priorities and seek "win-win" solutions while advancing a complex project.

But the most important learning that he has gained from the Oink-a-Saurus project is a sense that he can impact the world around him. He has learned that despite his young age, he can create something of value to serve others and that his ideas merit the attention and investment of adults outside of his family. This sense of agency or potency will serve him a lifetime by reaffirming his self-worth and by firming his self-confidence. So it is for this special gift which the Oink-a-Saurus project has provided him that I applaud and thank you, BKFK, K12, NYSE Foundation, and APAX software. As a parent, I give a special thanks to the entire By Kids For Kids team for your vision, persistence, and resourcefulness in making it possible for Fabian to benefit from this learning opportunity of a lifetime. You have my heartfelt admiration and gratitude.

Sincerely,

Peter Han, father of Fabian Fernandez-Han