Duluth, MN (May 4, 2026) |
Northern Communities Credit Union (NCCYou) and Dream Publishing today announced a partnership to bring Start Young and Build Freedom to young people in Northern Minnesota. The co-branded illustrated book will support NCCYou's reality fair programming and back-to-school initiatives, giving students a tangible resource that extends the learning beyond the event.
Start Young and Build Freedom is an engaging, illustrated guide designed to help teens identify their goals, explore entrepreneurship, and build a strong foundation for long-term financial well-being. Written by Simon Komlos, Forbes 30 Under 30 in Education and co-founder of Zogo, and with art direction by Chad W. Beckerman, the original art director of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the book is co-branded with mission-aligned credit union partners committed to empowering the next generation through accessible, real-world education. It is aligned with Jump$tart Coalition National Standards for Personal Financial Education.
"Our team works hard every day to make financial confidence accessible to every young person in our community. Partnering with Dream Publishing gives us a resource that meets students in a way that meets them where they are at, and we are excited to see the impact it has across our programs," said Maria Corradi Haines, VP of Member Service, Northern Communities Credit Union.
"Credit unions like NCCYou are exactly who we built this for," said Simon Komlos, founder of Dream Publishing and co-founder of Zogo. "They show up for their communities in ways that go far beyond financial products, and we are proud to support that work with a resource young people will actually want to engage with."
The co-branded edition of Start Young and Build Freedom will feature NCCYou's logo on the cover, a personalized message from NCCYou leadership, and customizable pages connecting students to NCCYou programs and resources. Dream Publishing and NCCYou will also collaborate on a student impact survey and case study to measure the program's reach and effectiveness.
