Northern Credit Union Supports Financial Literacy

Northern Credit Union donated $1,500 to offer a two-hour program that teaches personal finance skills over the next few months that will benefit three local high schools. The program, "Mad City Money," is organized by Cornell Cooperative Extension in coordination with the credit union. It puts students in a game that simulates adult life and is meant to teach them personal budgeting skills. "This hands-on simulation is both fun and challenging for the kids, and I think that makes it more memorable for the kids," said Christine E. Hoffman, a college financial readiness educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension. "They learn real-life solutions to money problems and hopefully that will stick with them throughout their lives and make them more successful." The program, in which other high schools including Sackets Harbor and Belleville Henderson have participated, will now be brought to Lyme, LaFargeville and Copenhagen central school districts. Extension also received a Fort Drum Rural Initiative for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Excellence grant to offer the program at six other Jefferson County school districts.