TopLine Federal Credit Union Helps Local Libraries Teens Gain Financial Literacy

MAPLE GROVE, MINN.—MARCH 22, 2017—Local member-owned cooperative TopLine Federal Credit Union has partnered with the Hennepin County Library to provide financial literacy workshops for the library system’s Teen Tech Squad employees. TopLine’s workshops provided participants with the foundational knowledge they need to prepare for the financial challenges of adulthood. The Teen Tech Squad program employs teens at multiple branches of the Hennepin County library system, where they prepare for life beyond high school, strengthen leadership skills, explore peer-to-peer communication and express themselves through creative projects. The teen employees’ role is to lead technology workshops, from game and animation creation to sound recording and editing, aimed at other teens and school-aged children. However, this time around it was TopLine who was leading the educational workshop for them. TopLine worked with the teens to establish a broad knowledge base of practical financial understanding that will serve them well as they pursue their dreams after high school. Topics included personal finance basics like how to use checking accounts and debit cards, how to manage credit wisely, the importance of credit reports and scores, keeping college-related expenses down and preventing identity theft. “We’re so proud to help these local students set off on their lives with the financial skills necessary to engage with the modern economy,” says Vicki Roscoe Erickson, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, at TopLine Federal Credit Union. “We value the opportunity to give back to our community, and believe that reaching students while they are still in high school is key to nurturing a savvy, responsible attitude towards money management. These young people are earning and spending their own money for the first time, and we can work with them to prepare for a lifetime of smart financial decisions.” Hennepin County Library is a national leader of library service, innovation and excellence. With 41 libraries, website and outreach services, they serve over 1.2 million county residents. Their mission is to nourish minds, transform lives and build community together. The Teen Tech Squads help to facilitate creative learning experiences at several library sites for kids and teens focused on science, technology, engineering, arts and math. The program is an opportunity for youth to develop leadership and twenty-first century skills. TopLine Federal Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based credit union, is Minnesota’s 13th largest, with assets of more than $390 million. Established in 1935, the not-for-profit cooperative offers a complete line of financial services, as well as auto and home insurance, from its five branch locations — in Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Plymouth and in St. Paul’s Como Park — as well as by phone, mobile app and online at www.TopLinecu.com. Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott or Washington Counties and their immediate family members. Visit us on our facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TopLineFederalCreditUnion.