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| Pictured (from left): MCU’s PR Assistant, Andrea Blanton, and MCU’s PR Director, Carla Kimel, answering questions the students at the Piedmont School had about the financial literacy program. |
Members Credit Union (MCU) kicked off their first financial literacy program at the Piedmont School in High Point, NC. This 2-part program focused on the importance of saving, maintaining a checking account, and the difference between credit unions and banks. MCU’s PR Director, Carla Kimel, and PR Assistant, Andrea Blanton, presented the seminar to 7th and 8th graders.
“Students are interested in getting a financial education and teachers want to offer it in their classroom,” remarked Kimel. “But with budget constraints and large curriculum requirements to fulfill it’s difficult for schools to make financial literacy a priority. That’s why we are making it our priority to partner with schools to provide a financial education.”
During MCU’s financial literacy program, students participated in several hands-on activities that taught them how to write a check, balance a checkbook, and determine the difference between purchasing based on need and purchasing based on want.
“The Financial Literacy Seminar really planted a seed of financial awareness with the students. They learned to keep track of their expenses, the difference between a credit union and a bank, and how to fill out a check,” said Kelli Saenz, Interim Director at The Piedmont School. “A very worthwhile experience!”
The first part of the program took place on a Monday. Students were asked to record their spending during the week, and when MCU returned on Friday for part two of the program there was a classroom discussion on spending habits, a review of part one, and a quiz. MCU plans to expand the financial literacy program and offer it to other schools.