WESTBROOK, Maine — A partnership between Maine's credit unions, the Maine Council on Economic Education, and the Maine Jump$tart Coalition, has received strong praise from Governor John Baldacci as he officially proclaimed the month of April as “Financial Literacy for Youth Month in Maine.”

This marks the fifth consecutive year that the Governor has made such a proclamation. The Governor issued proclamation to highlight and focus attention on the issue of youth financial education and some of the ongoing efforts that already exist in helping Maine children to better understand personal finance.

In his proclamation, Governor Baldacci specifically noted the continued efforts of Maine's credit unions and its partners in working to “substantially improve and increase the financial outlook and understanding of money management for Maine's youth. The Maine Credit Union League and Maine's credit unions have shown tremendous leadership in youth financial education in our state and Maine's children are better served because of it.”

The Governor also noted the fact that Maine's Credit Unions will promote youth financial literacy during the month including hosting three Youth Financial Fitness Fairs that will attract nearly 500 students. Maine's credit unions will host three Financial Fitness Money Management Experience fairs in the next month at Central Maine Community College in Auburn, Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield, and Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor. This marks the fourth year that Maine's credit unions have coordinated these fairs.

In addition, Maine's Credit Unions will further promote youth financial education with the celebration of its sixth annual Maine CU Youth Week (April 22-28) with a host of activities and events designed to promote awareness about the need for youth financial education including the annual Youth Savings Challenge, which encourages children to save.