Financial Literacy Program wins two statewide awards
SAN JOSE, CA – November 20, 2012– Meriwest Credit Union announced today that during the recent California Credit Union League’s Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Meriwest was the recipient of the California Credit Union League Community Outreach Award based on its “Financial Education for All” community program. Meriwest Credit Union was also honored for financial literacy outreach to youth with the Richard Myles Johnson Foundation’s “Beacon Award” for Youth Outreach.
The Community Outreach Award recognized Meriwest’s “Financial Education for All” program which brought Meriwest Credit Union staff together with members of the community to deliver various workshops on managing finances. Working with community organizations like Catholic Charities, Innvision, and many of the county’s social services programs, Meriwest provided classes to local families and individuals on managing budgets, home-buying, managing electronic checking accounts, auto purchase and financing, and establishing and managing personal credit.
The youth component of the “Financial Education for All” program was the recipient of the “Beacon Award” for youth outreach in the State. Through Meriwest’s relationship with schools in San Mateo, Contra Costa, Alameda, and Santa Clara County, Meriwest Credit Union staff members were invited into classrooms to deliver the “Reality Based Budgets” curriculum to students in middle schools and high schools. High school students were also taught how to establish credit and manage electronic checking accounts in the workshops. Meriwest presented to over 3,800 students through this program in the 2011/2012 school year.
“Our thanks goes out to the teachers, program managers, and case workers who saw the need for financial literacy in their classrooms and programs and then acted upon that need by partnering with Meriwest Credit Union to deliver the information their clients and students needed to financially succeed in the future.” said Greg Meyer, Community Relations Manger for Meriwest Credit Union. “It is becoming a very complicated financial world out there and a few hours of personal financial training can make a lifetime of difference.”
“Meriwest takes great pride in the work our employees do in the community. They are constantly looking for opportunities to volunteer.” said Christopher Owen, President and CEO of Meriwest Credit Union. “Whether it’s teaching a young adult about budgeting, offering financial advice to those struggling and less fortunate, sorting food, collecting holiday gifts, or cleaning up our local neighborhoods, we like to think our volunteers help make our community a better place to live.”
About Meriwest Credit Union
Meriwest Credit Union, one of Silicon Valley’s largest and established financial institutions, has been providing proactive, personal, convenient and innovative financial services to over 72,000 businesses and families throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Tucson, Arizona, since 1961. More information can be found at www.meriwest.com.