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For the eighteenth consecutive year, the Maine Credit Union League and Maine CUs, already the most decorated CU System in the country when it comes to youth financial education, have received a national, first-place Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award.
The League was presented with the award at a special awards ceremony, held by the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), last month in Washington, D.C.
For nearly 25 years, the Maine CU League and Maine’s credit unions have been formally involved in youth financial education efforts in Maine, and have been informally involved since credit unions were founded in Maine in 1921. “Helping promote good money money management habits and helping people of all ages with personal finance is a core principal of what credit unions are about. As member-owned, financial cooperatives, credit unions are focused on the financial wellness of their member owners. The commitment to youth financial education was a natural extension of that philosophy,” stated Jon Paradise, Vice President of Public Affairs and Engagement for the Maine CU League.
The Desjardins Youth Finacial Education Award was presented to the Maine CU League and Maine CUs for “an extraordinary dedication to helping Maine youth to better understand money management and to raise awareness about the concepts to all consumers. From being active in schools to a dedicated staff person focused on helping millennials, Maine CUs are active in nearly all ages of financial education.”
The signature focus of Maine CUs’ Youth Financial Education program remains the Financial Fitness – Money Management Experience events, which gives students an opportunity to experience ‘real life’ at the age of 22 and have an opportunity to make financial decisions, choices and sacrifices. In 2016/17, more than 7,600 Maine students participated in one of these fairs, a new record.
“Announcing the award as part of Youth Financial Education in Maine month makes it even more special. Maine CUs are true leaders in youth financial education and this award is indicative of that leadership,” added Paradise.
For information about the Financial Fitness – Money Management, please email Jon Paradise.