Jenni Castaneda
Volunteer Facilitator, 5 Buckets Foundation
About this series
“What’s Your Why?” is our ongoing series asking one honest question: Why does this work matter to you? Each post is a personal look at what brings someone to the 5 Buckets community and why they keep coming back.
Read the whole series →Supporting youth and underserved communities has always been a passion of mine. My volunteer work has centered on mentorship, college preparation, and financial literacy, helping students build confidence and create real opportunities for their future. I was drawn to 5 Buckets because I believe in their mission and their approach, combining financial literacy with psychology to help students understand not just how to manage money, but their relationship with it and the behaviors that shape their decisions.
Financial wellness is essential to overall wellbeing. It empowers people to make informed decisions and work toward their goals, and learning these skills young helps build habits that can last a lifetime.
The moment that’s stuck with me most is seeing that lightbulb click, when a student connects a topic to their own life and walks away with something practical they can actually use. Through teaching, I’ve also gained new insight into my own relationship with money. To any future volunteer, I’d say this: you’ll show up for these students, but you’ll walk away having learned just as much yourself.
This why belongs to
This blog features the “Why” of Jenni Castaneda, Volunteer Facilitator at 5 Buckets and First Vice President/Sr. Relationship Manager at Bank of Marin.
Your turn
What’s your why?
If financial wellness matters to you, we’d like to hear the reason. Facilitators, partners, learners, volunteers: every voice belongs here.
Share your why
