Redwood Credit Union Offers Summer Financial Academy for Teens

Redwood Credit Union (RCU), with assistance from Santa Rosa City Schools and the Sonoma County Office of Education, will offer their 5^thfree 16-hour Financial Academy for local high school students. Using the High School Financial Planning Program (HSFPP) created by the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE), the course includes helpful topics such as budgeting, financial planning, saving and investing, credit and debt management, and other life skills related to managing money.

RCU’s Summer Financial Academy will be held at Redwood Credit Union’s Administrative Offices at 3033 Cleveland Avenue in Santa Rosa, June 21 through 24, from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm. Students entering 11^thor 12^thgrade at any Sonoma County high school this fall are eligible to enroll. To register, contact Nancy Miller, Director of Career Pathways and Community Outreach for Santa Rosa City Schools, at (707) 528-5007, or visit www.redwoodcu.org/academy.Enrollment is limited, so students are encouraged to register early.

 “Financial literacy is the one essential subject not taught in schools that everyone needs to be educated about, because as an adult, you make financial decisions every day,” said Brett Martinez, President & CEO of RCU. Martinez is a strong supporter of financial education, and believes that basic money management, such as balancing a checking account, is a vital life skill that should be required in public school coursework. “Everyone has the right—and should have the opportunity—to learn basic financial skills to help them manage their money and other assets so that they live comfortably, find financial peace of mind, and achieve their goals and dreams; that’s the philosophy behind our Financial Academies,” Martinez added.

 RCU launched its Financial Academy program in 2009, has so far graduated 104 students, and has received positive response from students, parents and educators. Plans are underway to introduce similar programs in Marin and Mendocino counties as well. The Credit Union also offers many additional financial education outreach programs, hosting a variety of free educational seminars and events for their members and the community throughout the year.

Founded in 1950, RCU is a full-service financial cooperative, offering competitive financial products and services to fulfill consumer and small-business financial needs, including checking and savings accounts, consumer and mortgage lending, deposits, investments and more. The Credit Union also offers insurance products and discount auto buying. Anyone living or working in the North Bay can benefit from becoming a member of Redwood Credit Union, which currently serves nearly 200,000 Members and has $1.9 billion in assets. RCU has 18 branch locations in the North Bay and San Francisco. For more information, please call (707) 545-4000, toll-free at 1 (800) 479-7928, or visit www.redwoodcu.org.