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About My Finances Matter...

One day I sat at a conference for caregivers, social workers and others in the foster care community listening to a young man, a former foster youth, describe how he was homeless for two years and still managed to save money to finance a trip to Japan because he really wanted to visit the region. He also described a time when he received his first paycheck from his full-time job and he went grocery shopping and spent nearly his entire check on food and didn't have enough money for his rent.  Food in that moment was a luxury for him as he had been eating scraps and noodles as a homeless teenager. I sat there, sad BUT proud, wondering how... How did you manage to do what you've done in your 20 years here on this earth? How did you build the courage to go from homeless teen to flying to Japan to fulfill a dream? How can I help my community learn how to build a solid foundation to make sound financial decisions so that our children aren't faced with these decisions? In that moment, the idea for My Finances Matter was born! 

My Finances Matter was created to provide teens with the skills and knowledge required to make sound financial decisions. Our goal is provide clear and concise financial education to our youth while giving them the opportunity of growth, not only in education but also in confidence. This allows our youth to be secure in their abilities. 

Lotasha Thomas, MBA, CPA, CFEI

Financial Educator

With the desire to educate children, Lotasha set out to create an environment where students can learn about financial topics and grow to become individuals with a solid foundation to make sound financial decisions. Lotasha attended Sonoma State University for both her graduate and undergraduate studies earning a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting.  Lotasha went on to obtain her CPA license in 2011. Lotasha is also a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI) through the National Financial Educators Council. Currently, she is the Manager at a local accounting firm providing contract CFO services. Lotasha is the mother of a rambunctious 7 year old son and they live in the Bay Area.  Lotasha is a former foster parent and holds the foster care community close to her heart. Her dream to work with the foster care community in multiple capacities is coming true! 

Our community is in desperate need for foster parents of all backgrounds! If you are interested in becoming a foster parent or working with the foster care community specifically in Sonoma County, please contact Family, Youth and Children Services at 707-565-4300. Thank you!