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Teens Learn Financial Skills at 2^nd RCU Financial Literacy Academy

Program Teaches Money Management to Local High School Students

High school students learned key financial skills at Redwood Credit Union’s Financial Literacy Academy

Santa Rosa, CA – Redwood Credit Union (RCU) partnered with the Santa Rosa School District to offer their 2nd free 16-hour academy on financial literacy for local high school students. Using the High School Financial Planning Program (HSFPP) created by the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE), the program covered helpful topics such as budgeting, financial planning, saving and investing, credit and debt management and other life skills related to managing money. A total of 22 students attended the spring course, which was taught by Steve Weis, an Elsie Allen High School teacher. Several guest speakers from RCU’s staff also presented on a wide variety of topics ranging from the time-value of money to protecting your assets with insurance.

Redwood Credit Union’s EVP/COO Anne Benjamin (left) presents Financial Literacy Academy student Matt Chavez with his graduation certificate

Students, parents and several local lawmakers attended a celebratory lunch and graduation ceremony held on the final day of the Academy, including Santa Rosa City Mayor Susan Gorin, 5th District Sonoma County Supervisor Efren Carrillo, Superintendent Dr. Sharon Liddell of Santa Rosa City Schools and Jessica Diaz representing Shirlee Zane, 3rd District Sonoma County Supervisor. Speakers at the ceremony included Mayor Gorin, RCU Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Anne Benjamin, and Sonoma County Supervisor Efren Carrillo, who formerly served as Redwood Credit Union’s Education Manager.

“Redwood Credit Union is passionately committed to financial literacy and we believe money management skills learned at a young age are beneficial for a lifetime,” said Lee Alderman, Assistant Vice President of Educational Development. “We’re pleased that our Financial Literacy Academies are generating such a positive response from students and their parents,” Alderman added, noting that the Credit Union’s vision is to eventually see financial management education included as a high school graduation requirement for California schools.

Redwood Credit Union’s 2nd Financial Literacy Academy class, pictured with instructor Steve Weis (front left) and Redwood Credit Union's AVP of Educational Development, Lee Alderman (front right)

RCU offers many financial literacy and outreach programs for all ages, and hosts a variety of free educational seminars and events for their Members and the community throughout the year. For a list of current seminar offerings, dates and times and to RSVP online, visit www.redwoodcu.org/seminars.

Founded in 1950, RCU is a full-service financial cooperative, offering competitive financial products and services to fulfill consumer and small business financial needs, including checking and savings accounts, to consumer and mortgage lending, deposits, investments and more. The Credit Union also offers comprehensive insurance products and discount auto buying. Anyone living, working or owning a business in 8 North Bay counties, including Sonoma, Marin and Napa can benefit from becoming a Member of Redwood Credit Union, which currently serves nearly 150,000 Members and has $1.7 billion in assets. RCU has 15 branch locations in the North Bay and San Francisco. For more information, please call (707) 545-4000 or 1 (800) 479-7928, or visit www.redwoodcu.org.

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