Soo Co-op Credit Union Partners to Provide Financial Literacy Education to High School Students
Soo Co-op Credit Union is excited to announce a collaborative effort with U.P. State Credit Union, Tahquamenon Area Credit Union, and DeTour Drummond Community Credit Union to bring financial literacy education to high school students in the Eastern Upper Peninsula this upcoming school year. Together, these credit unions will host free Financial Reality Fairs at schools across the region.
The featured program, the Bite of Reality Fair, is an interactive, app-based simulation designed to engage teens while teaching them essential financial skills. Through this hands-on experience, students learn how to manage their personal finances and make informed financial decisions.
During the fair, students have the opportunity to select an occupation, determine a salary, and account for various financial factors such as credit score, student loan debt, credit card debt, and medical insurance payments. They then visit different table-top stations to purchase necessities like housing, transportation, food, and clothing, mirroring real-life financial decision-making. Fortunately, they can turn to a "credit union" station for guidance and support as they navigate their financial challenges.
Educators who have participated in the Bite of Reality Fair have praised its impact. One educator shared, “The students came away from the program with a much greater understanding of a real person’s salary and how they would have to allocate their income for expenses to live independently.”
This engaging program equips teens with a deeper understanding of the challenges of budgeting, offering them a valuable preview of the financial realities they will face as adults. Olivia Cerre of U.P. State Credit Union highlighted the significance of the initiative, stating, “By coming together, we can offer this free service to more schools and students. Financial literacy is vital for students when entering the real world, and these fairs give kids a taste of what balancing their finances will be like."
Through this partnership,
Soo Co-op Credit Union and its fellow credit unions are ensuring that more students across the Eastern Upper Peninsula have access to this invaluable educational experience.
For more information about the Financial Reality Fair or to host one at your school, please contact Mary Lynch of Soo Co-op Credit Union at mlynch@soocoop.com or Olivia Cerre of U.P. State Credit Union at ocerre@upscu.com.
Making a difference together
At Soo Co-op Credit Union, our commitment to the community is at the heart of everything we do. Whether it’s providing dedicated service to our members or actively supporting the neighborhoods we call home, we aim to make a positive impact in every way we can. One initiative that perfectly captures this spirit is our Dress-Down Fridays.
Every Friday, our team members swap their regular work attire for blue jeans—
a small change with a big impact. In exchange for the opportunity to dress casually, our employees make a modest donation. These contributions are then pooled to support local organizations and individuals in need within our community.
Our most recent Dress-Down Friday was dedicated to the Chippewa County Project Backpack. In addition to collecting essential items for the backpacks, we invited the community to participate by dropping off donations at various branches. Thanks to the generosity of everyone involved, we’re ensuring that every student is prepared for success as they enter the new school year.
Nick Gerrish Scholarship awarded
Soo Co-op Credit Union recently awarded four scholarships
to help student member-owners meet higher education goals through the Nick Gerrish Scholarship Program. The three recipients of the $2,500 scholarships are Makenzie Jacobson, Brianna Peterson and Lauren Smith. The Bay Mills Community College Scholarship was awarded to Jennifer Corbiere in the amount of $1,500.
Over $262,000 has been awarded to CU members since 1986 through the NGS program.
Applications for the Nick Gerrish Scholarship for the 2025/2026 school year will be available in January 2025.
Giving back - COMMUNITY-WIDE cleanup
This past Juneteenth, Soo Co-op Credit Union led volunteers across Chippewa County in our second annual community impact clean-up day.
Volunteer employees and community members joined in clean-up efforts in the downtown areas of every Soo Co-op branch location.
The cleaning was divided into several phases in each area: garbage pickup, sidewalk sweeping, community gardens and flowerbeds, gravestones, and painting dugouts at the Sault ballfields.
Money smart Week at Bayliss Library
Penny Penguin and SCCU employees shared stories, information, and giveaways for money smart week at Bayliss Library in April. Employees read money-themed stories to the community, such as Owl + Otter and the Big Yard Sale, and SAVE IT! Families also received a copy of the book to keep after.
This year, Money Smart Week was observed from April 15 to 21. The week is celebrated every year in April to empower people with the knowledge and skills needed to make well-informed personal finance choices.
If you missed us last year, make sure to join us this year on April 18th and 30th!
CHRISTMAS IN JULY
In July, we are spreading a little mid-year cheer by celebrating Christmas in July by “paying it forward” through random acts of kindness!
See What We're Up To Here
Highway Cleanup
SCCU Employees volunteer their time to help clean up and beautify their community! Volunteers cover a two-mile stretch of both sides of the road in downtown Sault Ste Marie through the Adopt-A-Highway program. Adopt-A-Highway is a Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) program designed to help keep the state's highway roadsides clean and attractive. Our team volunteers in the spring, summer, and fall to help keep our roadsides litter-free. We love being a part of keeping our community clean!
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