Maine credit unions are at the head of the class for financial literacy efforts in 2009/10. From volunteering and teaching youth financial education in local schools, operating in-school branches, to coordinating 16 Financial Fitness Fairs across Maine and Maine Credit Union Youth Week, the Maine Credit Union League and Maine’s credit unions exposed nearly 8,000 Maine students to financial literacy and money management concepts in the past year.

One of the most notable financial literacy efforts made by Maine credit unions were the many credit unions that coordinated Financial Fitness – Money Management Experience Fairs. Similar to an interactive ‘game of life,’ these events give high school students an opportunity to gain some real world understanding of money management.  There are now seven major fairs in northern, eastern, central and southern Maine as well as nine smaller ones in various parts of the state.  During the past school year, more than 3,000 students attended one of the 16 Financial Fitness Fairs coordinated by Maine credit unions, surpassing any previous year since the first Fair began in 2004.

To help Maine teachers bring financial education into their classrooms, the Maine Credit Union League has recently introduced a partnership with FoolProof, a turnkey, web-driven financial literacy program. With twelve schools already taking advantage of the program, it is one more way that Maine credit unions are working to prepare Maine’s youth for a successful financial future!

Maine credit unions are also a valuable resource for helping adults with money management and financial planning.  From providing tools to help members better manage their money, to hosting seminars on subjects such as decreasing debt or buying a home, Maine credit unions help Maine people of all ages achieve a secure financial future. 

For more information about the efforts of Maine’s credit unions towards both youth and adult financial literacy, visit www.mainecul.org and click on the Financial Education and Resources link in the “Community Involvement” section.

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