Print
Jake Holmes, League Financial Literacy Outreach Coordinator
April is National Financial Literacy Month and Credit Union Youth Month—a time when public and private sectors come together to raise awareness about financial literacy and promote financial education. Maine credit unions have been longtime proponents of continued education on this subject matter. After all, when it comes to the various skills one can learn in life, few are more important than learning and understanding basic personal finances.
While Maine credit unions are committed to helping their members and neighbors improve their financial wellbeing year-round, the nationwide observance of Financial Literacy Month brings more eyes and interest to our outreach each April. As a result, we amplify our efforts with a goal of educating as many Mainers as possible. By highlighting the importance of financial literacy and offering resources and education, we can instill good fiscal habits and empower those in our communities to make smart financial decisions.
During this month especially, Maine credit unions promote financial education on their websites and social media channels, in newsletters, on lobby displays, in classroom settings, and more. However, one of the pillars of our collective financial education outreach efforts has been Financial Fitness Fairs. When the pandemic sent everyone home in March of 2020, in-person fairs were put on hold.
Now that comfort levels have risen, for the first time since 2019, Maine credit unions are hosting in-person Financial Fitness Fairs during National Financial Literacy and Credit Union Youth Month. By the end of the 2023 spring semester, 12 fairs will have been held at schools across the state—educating an estimated 2,390 students. Since the program’s inception in 2004, more than 72,000 students will have participated.
I’ve had the privilege of attending each fair since we’ve returned to an in-person setting and the credit union volunteers haven’t missed a beat. Despite returning after a multi-year hiatus, there has been no shortage of volunteers with all booths fully staffed. Feedback from the schools has been overwhelmingly positive, with many inquiring about scheduling their fair for next year. Our credit unions also have received some tremendous media coverage.
Volunteers pose for a photo at the recent FFF at Lewiston High School.
Having the return to in-person fairs be so successful is incredibly rewarding. Fair season is something I look forward to every year, but I look forward to April in particular. This is a month where the public looks at financial education the way we do all year in the credit union industry. There is a need for financial education in schools and we can answer the call with our Financial Fitness Fairs. They’re insightful, educational, and a lot of fun.
If you have a chance to volunteer at a fair this April, I hope you’ll do so. I hope you’ll also raise awareness and promote financial education at your credit union throughout the remaining weeks of Credit Union Youth Month and National Financial Literacy Month, and in every month beyond.