Hanscom FCU Flying High with School Partnership

HANSCOM AFB, Mass. – Hanscom Federal Credit Union has teamed with the Lowell High School United States Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) to help cadets with financial literacy. While staffers teach financial management courses in the classroom, cadets take part in the credit union’s community service projects. The mission of the AFJROTC is to instill values of citizenship, service to the USA, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment in each cadet. Cadets learn citizenship by active participation in community service projects, and receive instruction in air and space fundamentals. Along the way, they develop responsibility, character and self-discipline. “It’s so important for all young people to develop personal finance skills,” said retired Chief Master Sergeant Bobby Jacques, senior enlisted aerospace science instructor for the AFJROTC program in Lowell. “Our cadets need this information before they are out on their own.” AFJROTC faculty previously taught the course, which is required to complete the program. Hanscom FCU staff members use materials from the National Endowment for Financial Education, a non-profit foundation dedicated to helping Americans gain skills in personal finance. The cadets focus on using a financial plan to achieve their goals. By the end of the eight-week course, the cadets have learned about saving, budgeting, using credit, investing, career planning, and insurance. In 2003, Hanscom FCU became a sponsor of the Lowell AFJROTC program, and itnow has a classroom named in its honor. The same year, AFJROTC cadets raised $1,000 to benefit Hanscom FCU’s fundraising campaign for Children’s Hospital Boston.