In a groundbreaking initiative for Huron County, Harbor Beach Community Schools has officially launched its first Children’s Savings Account (CSA) program, a milestone effort to promote financial literacy and foster long-term savings habits among students. This initiative was made possible through the generosity of the Storrs Family Fund at the Huron County Community Foundation (HCCF). 

The Storrs Family CSA program kicked off in January of this year, enrolling the district’s 530 students from kindergarten through 12th grade. January 27 marked the program’s first deposit day, where every student in the district received an initial $100 deposit and a Frankenmuth Credit Union piggy bank to begin saving for future deposit days.

“The Storrs family’s incredibly generous gift will be transformational for Harbor Beach Community Schools students and their families,” said Mackenzie Price, executive director of the HCCF. “The partnership between the school, HCCF, and Frankenmuth Credit Union will provide every student 13 years of financial literacy education, a jumpstart on thinking about their future, and dollars set aside to support their next endeavor.”

There’s an interesting story behind the program’s founding and funding: An alumna of Harbor Beach Community Schools’ Class of 1951, Lorraine Pranke Storrs left a generous estate gift of $553,000 to the school district. When deciding how to use the funds, the district brought in HCCF as a partner. Together, the district and HCCF decided to use this gift to create the Storrs Family Fund, a permanent endowment that will fund the Storrs Family CSA program in perpetuity. As a result of a strong collaboration between HCCF, Harbor Beach Community Schools, and Frankenmuth Credit Union, this CSA program will honor Lorraine’s vision by helping to instill postsecondary aspirations in the youngest members of the Huron County community.

The Storrs Family CSA program will join the Michigan Children’s Savings Account Network, a statewide initiative led by CEDAM. The Michigan CSA Network supports local CSAs by offering infrastructure, technical assistance, and resources to community-based initiatives. The Network currently connects 16 local CSA programs across the state and is proud to add the Storrs Family CSA program to the Network.

The launch of the Harbor Beach CSA program marks an exciting accomplishment, not only for the students who will benefit but also for the broader community committed to fostering financial empowerment and educational success. Congratulations to the Storrs Family CSA program and the Harbor Beach community—we’re proud to welcome you to the MI CSA Network and can’t wait to watch your program thrive!