Ascentra Credit Union Awarded Grants for Area Schools

Originally posted on qconline.com

The funds will be used for real-world financial literacy programs like “Banzai!” The grants were provided by the National Credit Union Foundation and the Iowa Credit Union Foundation.

“When 18 to 24 year olds are the fastest growing demographic declaring bankruptcy, it’s clear that there is a need for young people to be more financially savvy,” Ascentra Credit Union’s Community Development Coordinator Alvaro Macias said. “For that reason financial education for young people is now more important than ever.”

Ascentra realizes teachers need resources for an often mandated, but also often underfunded curriculum of financial literacy. As a not-for-profit financial institution that promotes financial education to its members, teachers can count on an organization that shares the same values to provide a free, comprehensive, quality financial education program.

Banzai has been requested by 19 in 2011 area teachers and Ascentra plans to at least double that to 35-42 teachers. If you are a teacher, and interested in Banazai please visithttp://ascentra.teachbanzai.com to learn more and sign up to receive free materials for your classes. You can even see how your state’s financial literacy standards align with Banzai.

Some of the schools that have used Banzai include Davenport North High School, Assumption High School, Williams Intermediate School, Rock Island High School, Moline High School, Prince of Peace High School and many more.

“By preparing students with a solid understanding of how to manage their money, they will be better prepared when starting out in life and stepping out into the real world,” Macias added.

For more information about Ascentra Credit Union please visit www.ascentra.org. To learn more about the National Credit Union Foundation visit www.ncuf.coop. To learn more about the Iowa Credit Union Foundation visit www.iowacreditunions.com.

Teachers interested in using the Banzai program can visit teachbanzai.com or call 888-8-BANZAI.