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Student Mentor

PACTO

Promoting Accountability, Contribution, and Tax Opportunities

About The Program

PACTO is Indigo Group’s flagship initiative designed to empower underserved communities in Los Angeles County. It focuses on two groups that often face the steepest barriers to success:

First-generation students, who are the first in their families to pursue higher education.


Internationals (immigrant communities), who bring resilience and determination but often lack access to the tools needed to navigate the U.S. financial system.


Local Americans (U.S.-born communities), who face financial insecurity and limited access to trustworthy guidance on budgeting, taxes, and credit-building.


Through financial literacy, tax education, and leadership development, PACTO gives these young people the confidence and resources to build stable futures for themselves, their families, and their communities.

Why PACTO Matters

Los Angeles County is home to more than 1.8 million residents facing financial barriers. Many rely on informal services with high fees, avoid filing taxes out of fear, or lack access to credit and banking.

  • First-generation students often grow up in households without bank accounts or financial guidance, leaving them unprepared for college expenses, credit, or taxes.
  • Internationals (immigrant families) face language, cultural, and systemic barriers that prevent them from engaging safely with the financial system
  • Small businesses in these communities struggle without bookkeeping or loan access, limiting their ability to grow and generate jobs.

These barriers don’t just affect individuals. They ripple across families and neighborhoods, creating cycles of exclusion and lost opportunity.

PACTO is here to break those cycles

By teaching students and families how to bank responsibly, manage credit, and file taxes, PACTO is:

Creating

entrepreneurs who can access capital, grow businesses, and generate jobs.

Developing

contributors who file taxes confidently and strengthen local services.

Improving

the economy of Los Angeles County by increasing financial participation and accountability.

Every donation fuels this mission. With your support, students transform into leaders, families gain stability, and our county grows stronger.

Program Structure

PHASE 1:

Launch at Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC)

Launch Date

October 16, 2025

End Date

November 20, 2025

Schedule

Every Thursday (except October 23) from 12:00–2:00 PM

Location

Los Angeles Valley College

Goal for 2025

Train 1,000 students directly and impact more than 2,000 people indirectly through their families and peers


By starting in higher education, PACTO ensures that the next generation of leaders gain not only academic preparation but also practical tools to participate fully in the economy.
5 Modules, 10 hours total

Modules

PACTO operates as a modular, scalable program that integrates education, mentorship, and community action.

1.

BANKING AND FINANCIAL SYSTEMS

Building foundational knowledge

  • Checking and savings accounts
  • Budgeting and avoiding debt traps
  • Understanding credit and protecting financial identity

2.

CREDIT AND DEBT

Understanding credit, managing responsibility

  • Scholarships, grants, and financial aid
  • Managing income from jobs or internships
  • Building saving habits early

3.

TAXES, EMPLOYMENT, AND BENEFITS

Navigating real-world financial systems

  • Reading paychecks and withholdings
  • Filing W-2s, 1099s, and student tax returns
  • Claiming credits such as the EITC

4.

Smart Spending & Investing

  • Savings strategies for short and long term
  • Introduction to investing
  • Connecting financial wellness to leadership

5.

Capstone - Leadership in Action

Simulations:

Real-life practice with budgeting, credit, and taxes

Reflection:

Linking financial literacy with accountability and contribution

Leadership Panel:

The program culminates in a Leadership-in-Action Panel and Networking Session, where participants engage with professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders to discuss pathways to success, resilience, and contribution.

Student Voices:

Live interviews with participants, sharing how PACTO transformed their perspective and future

This fifth module ensures that students don’t just learn. They lead. They graduate from PACTO ready to manage their finances, inspire their families, and strengthen their communities.

Student Experience

PACTO is designed to be dynamic, practical, and supportive.

Each session includes:

• POP materials (folders, notebooks, and resources) for every participant

• Meals and refreshments to create a welcoming atmosphere

• Ambassadors from diverse fields who bring credibility, mentorship, and inspiration

Sponsorship Levels

PACTO is made possible by partners and sponsors. Supporting a section means a direct investment in education, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.

$2,500

Session Sponsor

Support one full session with recognition in event materials and social media.

$5,000

Leadership Panel Sponsor

Support the capstone Leadership-in-Action experience with brand visibility and engagement

$12,500

Full Module Sponsor

Supports all 5 sessions of a full module with recognition throughout.

$25,000

Founding Partner

Supports half of Phase 1, with recognition across all sessions and participation in the Leadership Panel.

WHY IT WORKS

PACTO strengthens Los Angeles through financial confidence, leadership, and inclusion. The program directly responds to the gap in accessible financial education—especially among youth, immigrants, and first-generation communities.

EMPOWERMENT

Equip participants to navigate financial systems and make confident decisions.

ECONOMIC MOBILITY

Foster financial habits that enable long-term growth.

COMMUNITY RESILIENCE

Build networks of mentorship and leadership that create ripple effects in local economies.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Ensure equal access to knowledge and opportunity.

Sponsors Benefits

Recognition in program and POP materials


Visibility in Indigo’s website and social media


Opportunities to attend and speak at sessions


For Module Partners and Founding Partners:
featured acknowledgment during sessions and the Capstone Leadership Panel

Ready to make a difference?

PACTO is not only about financial literacy. It is about building a stronger Los Angeles County. Every student who learns becomes a multiplier of change, starting businesses, paying taxes, and creating opportunities.

By sponsoring PACTO, you are helping to:

• Create entrepreneurs who will generate jobs and innovation.

• Develop contributors who strengthen our tax base and public services.

• Improve the local economy by bringing underserved communities into full participation.

Together, we can ensure that opportunity in Los Angeles is not limited by background but expanded through education, accountability, and leadership.

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PACTO Student Sign-Up