Wescom CU Youth Month Focuses on Financial Literacy

PASADENA, Calif. - Wescom Credit Union has declared April Youth Month and to celebrate has recently launched a series of consumer education initiatives coinciding with "Financial Literacy Month." Focused on educating consumers and their children on how to successfully manage their personal finances, Youth Month festivities kicked off with a free seminar entitled "Financially Fit Kids." Joline Godfrey, renowned author of Raising Financially Fit Kids, discussed how parents can pass on critical money skills to their children. Godfrey has been a pioneer in the movement to increase financial literacy and empowerment in young people, and is a leading expert on the subject of kids, parents and money. Her step-by-step approach helps parents encourage their kids to become smart money managers and through her company Independent Means, she has created customized educational programs for financial institutions. Since January, Wescom has been using her educational modules to partner with Southern California schools to teach students the importance of being financially fit. At the workshops, the students are introduced to such concepts as budgeting and accepting credit responsibility. "Wescom's commitment to youth financial literacy is remarkable," said Godfrey. "The credit union has really taken our program to the next level with the type of outreach they are doing with the schools in Southern California. I believe Wescom will be able to make an impact with the children as the program is fun and easy to learn." In addition to hosting Youth Month seminars at select branches throughout the month, kids can learn how fun it is to save by participating in the Youth Month Sweepstakes. Children will have the chance to double their savings for every deposit between $25 and $50. Wescom will select five winners at the end of each week. In addition, every child who makes a deposit in April will receive a small gift to thank them for banking with Wescom and to help them understand the rewards of saving. At the end of the month, Wescom will also award a grand prize of a four-pack of tickets to Disneyland.