The Aspen Challenge asks students to design solutions to the problems within their own communities. Below, three participants from MoneyLYFE, one of the 2016 winning teams, and the man who issued their challenge, share their stories of how they improved financial literacy in their community—and took a trip to Aspen along the way.

When youth are “empowered,” they have the skills, critical awareness, and opportunities to positively impact their own lives and the lives of other individuals, organizations, and communities.