Ellenbecker Investment Group, Inc. has a Young Investors Club available for young adults aged 8 to 18. This club is open to anyone who may be interested in developing strong and healthy financial life habits. We celebrate the freshness and drive of the younger generation and help them to align their goals with their vision. We include games, seminars, events and newsletters in the complimentary membership to our Young Investors Club. If you are interested in more information please email julie@ellenbecker.com or call (262) 938-9060.

Ellenbecker Investment Group, Inc. is committed to mentoring and educating young adults in our community. Consistently for the past five years a group of investment associates has teamed up with area high schools to provide seminars during regular economic or current event classes. These seminars are fun, interactive and engaging focusing on goal setting, saving, investing, creating strong life habits and making good choices. The bottom line stressed to the students is the key to becoming a millionaire is to spend less than you make! The seminars are another way that Ellenbecker Investment Group, Inc. is committed to our local community.

LifeSmarts is a flexible classroom or group activity that teaches teens to be educated and responsible consumers and citizens. LifeSmarts is a six-year-old program that any teenager, grades 9-12, from any U.S. state can participate. Each player must have an adult coach. The initial part of the consumer game is played on a computer with Internet access. If the team advances to the next level they will be invited, with their coach, to attend the state competition. The winner of the state competition will be invited to continue on to the national competition. LifeSmarts is a "Brain Olympic" game created to educate teenagers on issues surrounding personal finance, health, safety, environment, technology, and consumer rights and responsibilities. LifeSmarts is a wonderful way to involve high school kids in a game show like experience at no cost to the parents. Check out their website at www.lifesmarts.org. In addition to what they learn, teens gain leadership and teamwork skills. LifeSmarts is free and open to all teens between 9th and 12th grade. For more information contact julie@ellenbecker.com or visit their web site at www.lifesmarts.org. (Information taken from www.lifesmarts.com)

Drug and alcohol abuse often leads to the destruction of families and eventually prison. A majority of offenders are non-custodial fathers who have been convicted of non-violent drug offenses. Short-term programs force offenders out on the their own before they are ready. They allow only 30-90 days to try to change a habit that has taken years to develop. Reconstruct is dedicated to the reunification of families broken by crime and addiction. Reconstruct is also committed to the development of a support process for fathers so they can better meet the needs of their children. Reconstruct is not only committed to bringing fathers home, but also dedicated to the individual, their children and their community. Reconstruct provides the relationship counseling and parenting skills necessary for rebuilding the bridges and mending the lives once broken by substance abuse and crime. (Donations collected year-round at Ellenbecker Investment Group, Inc., For more information please call Deb Lukovich at 414.803.3229 )

BCM's goal is to assist women on their journey to self-sufficiency. The gift of professional attire provided by Bottomless Closet translates into heightened self-esteem by ensuring that the interviewer focuses on the job seeker's skills rather than her appearance. Volunteers collect and distribute professional clothing and related items that women need to present themselves in a professional manner at interviews. This is accomplished by holding clothing drives at companies, retail shops and professional organizations. BCM then sorts the outfits and on an appointment only basis gives coordinated outfits to low income women who have been referred to the Bottomless Closet by pre-screened agencies. Once employment is secured, BCM supplies additional outfits to assist in the transition to the workplace. There is no charge for this service. In 2002 Bottomless Closet added a "Leaders of Tomorrow" series including workshops on getting financially fit, debt management, and many other useful topics. The Bottomless Closet also accepts cash and stock donations. (Donations of gently used professional clothes, accessories, briefcases, etc..are collected year-round at Ellenbecker Investment Group, Inc.) (Information taken from www.bottomlesscloset.org)