Sometimes the biggest barrier to access isn’t awareness—it’s how easy it is to walk through the door.

After identifying several hurdles to program participation in their community, HERizons College Savings Program, a Children’s Savings Account (CSA) program managed by Alternatives for Girls (AFG), applied for and was awarded an Innovation & Sustainability Grant administered by CEDAM and funded by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. They used the funds to support their community engagement efforts and implement important programmatic changes to their CSA program. 

Founded in 1987 as a volunteer-run program, AFG has grown into a multi-service agency that offers a wide variety of support resources and trauma-informed care, covering areas ranging from housing instability and crisis support to early childhood education and workforce development. The HERizons College Savings Program has operated since 2017 and fills a critical gap in academic and postsecondary support for at-risk girls and young women in Southwest Detroit. This program officially joined the Michigan CSA Network in 2025. 

Clearing the path to program enrollment

One of the first projects set in motion after HERizons received the Innovation & Sustainability grant was transitioning the enrollment process for their CSA from an opt-in model to an opt-out model. Opt‑in models require families to actively enroll, while opt‑out models automatically enroll all eligible children unless a family declines. Now, information about participating in the CSA program is included in the enrollment packets for AFG’s youth programs, offering a clear breakdown of how the program works and spelling out the low-lift but long-term benefits of opening an account. 

“By making enrollment the default and following up with families who choose to opt-out, we were able to answer questions, address misconceptions about eligibility or public benefits, and ensure families were making an informed decision. It has also helped normalize college savings as an expected part of participating in our youth development programs,” said Rae Glenn, director of youth prevention at AFG.

The transition to an opt-out model significantly impacted CSA program enrollment. In one case, 50 girls enrolled in an AFG afterschool program were subsequently enrolled in the HERizons CSA program. In another, 58 of 72 girls enrolled in AFG’s Rise N’ Shine Summer Camp automatically had accounts opened on their behalf—12 were already CSA participants—and only two families opted out, a clear sign that the simpler enrollment process is a success.

Bringing families into the game 

HERizons also used a portion of their Innovation and Sustainability grant to host a community event modeled after the Game of Life, walking parents through real-life financial decisions—budgeting, education expenses, career choices, saving for college—and showing how small, consistent choices add up over time. 

The team focused on making the event welcoming, educational, and worthwhile. HERizons provided dinner, deposits into students’ CSAs for participation, and AFG’s leadership team donated $25 Meijer gift cards. More than incentives, though, families left with practical financial knowledge they could put to use right away.

The event also drove home that supporting their student’s education isn’t only about money; families can earn CSA deposits by taking part in AFG engagement opportunities like this, along with other financial literacy events. Glenn said, “We want every family to know that you do not have to be wealthy to invest in your child’s future. Sometimes the greatest investment is simply showing up, staying engaged, and believing in what is possible.”

The cherry on top? After attending the event, four families who had initially declined to enroll in the HERizons CSA program requested enrollment forms.  

Long-term investments made real

Now approaching its tenth year of service, HERizons can point to real proof that its model works: another class of students is putting their savings to use for college. Members of the 2025 graduating class made the leap to college this past fall, moving to campus and staying connected through the HERizons College Success Program. In their first year, many scholars used their CSA funds to cover textbooks and other course costs. 

This milestone brings something else into focus: a CSA can become more than money in the bank when paired with a proven support system. It’s a symbol of a bigger investment in each student’s future, built the same way HERizons has grown participation: staying close to families, making the path easier, and backing savings with real relationships. 

“One of the biggest lessons we have learned is that increasing access is just as important as increasing awareness. Small changes, such as switching to an opt-out enrollment model, providing personalized follow-up with families, and connecting savings incentives to parent engagement, have dramatically increased participation,” Glenn shared. “Every additional account represents another child whose future has been intentionally invested in, and we are excited to continue building a culture where college and postsecondary education are viewed as achievable goals for every girl we serve.”

HERizons College Savings Program is one of 18 programs currently enrolling students in the Michigan CSA Network, a statewide initiative led by CEDAM. The Network supports community-based CSA programs through coalition building, technical assistance, and shared resources. During the 2024-25 academic year, CEDAM and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity awarded more than $450,000 to Michigan programs through Innovation & Sustainability Grants. 

To learn more, visit the Michigan CSA Network webpage or email CEDAM’s director of economic initiatives, Madeleine March-Meenagh, at [email protected].