The Texas Credit Union Foundation (TCUF) honored the dedication, commitment and hard work of Texas’ best financial literacy advocates with the presentation of its annual FOCUS Awards during a special award ceremony at the Texas Credit Union League’s (League) 77th Annual Meeting & Expo in Austin on April 26.
Sherry Cassidy, manager of public relations and financial education at InTouch Credit Union in Plano, and Amarillo Community Federal Credit Union were among this year’s winners.
Cassidy received honors in the individual category, and was recognized for being a dedicated advocate for delivering much-needed financial education into our schools and community. Under Cassidy’s direction, the InTouch Credit Union financial education team has taught at well over 23 schools and youth-based organizations, reaching nearly 2,000 students between the ages of five and 18, since 2008. During this time, the team has dedicated more than 390 hours to education in the classrooms, and over 950 hours to schools and youth-based organizations combined.
In 2008, Cassidy introduced the credit union to the National Endowment for Financial Education High School Planning Program (NEFE HSFPP). Cassidy utilizes the NEFE materials to teach middle and high school students, and tailors each course to fit the needs of each specific class. Each year the credit union sets new goals for the development of its education programs. For 2011, the goal is to bring financial education into an additional six schools, and already, three schools are in the pipeline.
Amarillo Community Federal Credit Union is committed to improving financial education among the youth and adult alike, and received a FOCUS award in the credit union category for their efforts. In addition to teaching the NEFE curriculum in the schools, the credit union has adapted the curriculum to be suitable for adults as well. The credit union has worked with a number of community and civic organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, Boys Ranch (parents group), Wesley Community Center (senior citizens group), Family Support Services and the Randall County Sherriff’s Office (Prisoner Re-entry Education Program).
To encourage financial education in every position, the credit union is participating in the Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor Program offered by the Credit Union National Association (CUNA). This program consists of eight tested modules, and is designed to empower staff with the knowledge and skills necessary to educate members about important money matters.
Other 2011 FOCUS Award recipients are as follows:
“The Foundation’s FOCUS Awards recognize the brightest leaders in the Texas credit union movement for the difference they are making within the lives of their members and communities, and it is a tremendous honor to recognize these champions of the financial literacy cause in front of their peers and families,” says Courtney Nickles, CUDE, executive director of the Foundation.