Abel Receives Governor’s 2009 Financial Literacy Award

Lakeshore Technical College (Wisconsin) Adult Basic Education Instructor Sharon Abel is one of six individual recipients honored with the statewide Governor’s Financial Literacy Award 2009. The award recognizes excellence in promoting financial literacy among Wisconsin citizens. The winners were selected by Governor Doyle’s Council on Financial Literacy. The evaluation of nominees was based on four criteria: innovative implementation, demonstrated measurable results, collaboration with partners, and scope.

Sharon Abel was nominated for the Governor’s Financial Literacy Award by Lisa Anne Arneson, Certified Consumer Credit and Housing Counselor of the Family Service Association, for successfully facilitating the learning of financial/economic concepts by her students – adult inmates at the Sheboygan County Detention Center. Abel’s work in this field is based on her participation in the National Institute of Financial & Economic Literacy, her extensive review of professional literature on the subject, and her active response to the longitudinal follow-up study she conducted with inmates/students regarding participation in financial literacy learning activities and influence of such on attitude, decisions, and behavior. Arneson had this to say about Abel and her work:
Over the past year alone, we have pulled credit reports for and assisted in the preparation of financial goals for over 140 inmates/students. Being that Ms. Abel is totally committed to giving her students a foundation of resources, these inmates will now know where they can go to get help with their finances upon release.
Sharon, through her commitment to financial literacy, has helped discover that three inmates have been victims of identity theft during their incarcerations. Two of which were their parents who were using their identities without permission. Ms. Abel has also helped place five of her past students into housing. These one-time inmates of the county jail facility now have a stable place to live and they can focus on their schooling to becoming more productive members of society.
If we can so much as give one person the tools to make a difference in his/her life, we had a good day. Sharon does this day in and day out tirelessly with all who have the pleasure of coming in contact with her. Her students have a respect for her that reaches an all time high. However, they achieve not because of the respect for her but because of the respect she gives them.
Her classroom is a two-way street with a few U turns. Given time most find their direction largely because of her continued guidance.
First Lady Jessica Doyle and Department of Financial Institutions Secretary Lorrie Keating-Heinemann presented the 2009 Governor’s Financial Literacy Awards to six individuals and ten organizations on Wednesday, March 18, at a ceremony at the Executive Residence in Madison.

“I congratulate the individuals and organizations for their contributions to financial literacy,” said Governor Jim Doyle. “They are enhancing Wisconsin’s economy by making people more knowledgeable about their own money. We all benefit from that.”

For more information about the Governor’s Financial Literacy Awards and the National Institute of Financial & Economic Literacy contact David Mancl, Director, Office of Financial Literacy, at (608) 261-9540 or david.mancl@dfi.state.wi.us.