I am Tyra Blazek. I was born and raised in Crystal, MN, a small suburb of Minneapolis. I have been working with youth in various capacities since college, starting my journey at the YMCA as a summer camp counselor. I was then invited to work during each school break—Thanksgiving, winter break, spring break, and so on. By my second summer, I was promoted to School Age Lead and continued working for the YMCA throughout my college career. My passion for youth work grew significantly, as I found it more fulfilling than I had expected. After graduating from Minnesota State University, Mankato, with a degree in Business Management, I was offered a position with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), where I worked extensively with the Minneapolis Step Up program. My role evolved from Job Coach to Workforce Development Representative to Youth Coordinator. Currently, I continue to nurture my passion for helping youth succeed at Build Wealth MN as a Youth Coordinator. I believe that financial literacy and capability are essential skills that are often not taught in school curricula. It is incredibly fulfilling to be part of an organization that prioritizes imparting this vital knowledge to our youth and families.