California Youth Cash In on Good Grades

Boys Town has always encouraged youth in their academics with the incentive of being a successful and productive citizen, but now Boys Town California youth get to make some extra dough on the side!

Former Boys Town California Board Member Jim McInnis and his wife, Robin, have restarted the “Cash for Grades” program. The incentive-based program gives youth cash for receiving good grades and this year Jim and Robin gave Boys Town youth a total of $2,955 for their good grades.

McInnis and his wife use simple criteria to determine how much money a youth receives. The youth must submit grades for both semesters, then the student’s First ‘A’ earns them $50, and $20 for each subsequent ‘A.’ A ‘B’ earns the student $10, a ‘C’ earns $5, a ‘D’ earns the student no money and an ‘F’ disqualifies the student for that semester.

“We are so thankful for the years of generosity and support from the McInnis family,” said Teresa Dinh, Boys Town California Development Director. “Cash for grades is a wonderful positive reinforcement that motivates our youth to excel and earn good grades, in which many have not done before. Several of the youth who earned cash opened up their first savings account.”

The Cash for Grades program not only literally “pays” off but also shows youth where good grades and hard work can take you. Boys Town youth Cynthia earned $500 this year and will be attending college in the Fall thanks to her straight ‘A’ report cards.