Clarence Community & Schools FCU and CORE FCU will receive national recognition during the 2018 CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference. Both New York credit unions will receive first-place Desjardins Youth Financial Education Awards, which recognizes credit unions that demonstrate a significant commitment to youth financial education.

Clarence Community & Schools FCU will receive their award in the category for credit unions with less than $50 million in assets.

The credit union reached young people by developing age-appropriate curricula for middle school and high school students. In addition to offering in-school financial education, the credit union provided after school and summer educational sessions for students. The credit union also mentored youth, hosted an intern, participated on the executive board at the Clarence High School’s Academy of Business & Finance, and reopened their school branch in a larger and more visible location in the cafeteria.

CORE FCU will receive their award in the asset category of $50 million – $250 million.

CORE FCU operates a dynamic youth financial education program, with student-run high school credit unions as the cornerstone. Last year, CORE FCU continued to expand on its renowned “Students as Educators” model, which challenges students to take leadership roles when it comes to educating themselves, their peers, elementary and middle school students, and adults about personal finances. In total, the credit union committed more than 4,800 employee hours and over 100 volunteer hours to its financial education initiatives, reaching thousands of students in 2016.