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First Tech FCU increases partnership with Junior Achievement to improve students’ financial literacy skills
The Partnership with Junior Achievement in California, Oregon and Washington Includes Volunteer Time and Fundraising Support
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA (April 13, 2015) — First Tech Federal Credit Union has expanded its partnership with Junior Achievement (JA) in California, Oregon and Washington this year to include more company volunteer hours and increased financial support.
Boosting their collaboration helps expand JA’s ability to help improve financial literacy among kindergarten – 12th grade students, while enabling First Tech employees to utilize their financial education and experience to provide on-the-ground support for JA initiatives. These initiatives include “JA in a Day” financial literacy lessons, JA BizTown, JA Stock Market Challenge, JA Finance Park and regional fundraising events including JA Bowl-a-Thons.
“I must admit that First Tech employees and volunteers get just as much out of their experiences with JA as this fantastic organization receives in return,” said Stephen Owen, First Tech chief retail & marketing officer and Junior Achievement of Northern California board member. “The experience our more than 40 First Tech volunteers gain from these experiences is priceless. We’re inspired and humbled by the students we meet and the opportunity to help shape their budding views on finance and life.”
Cynthia Klustner, First Tech senior vice president, controller, first volunteered for JA during her days at Hewlett-Packard. “For me, the JA experience is about stretching students to learn new concepts, be brave about asking questions, and be proud when they achieve something. I enjoy sharing my passion about financial fluency with students.”
“First Tech has wrapped its arms around so much of what we are doing. The passion that they bring to our mission and work is incredible, and its generous sharing of finances and people resources has been a huge help,” said John Hancock, president, Junior Achievement of Oregon and Southwest Washington. “From direct work with our students to supporting special events – First Tech seems to do it all. We are thankful for their partnership and proud to collaborate in advancing our mutual goals related to work readiness and financial literacy for young people.”
So far this year, First Tech has teamed up with JA to raise more than $40,000 for JA of Oregon and Southwest Washington through its annual Stock Market Challenge in Portland. They are also the Oregon JA Finance Park presenting sponsor. In the Seattle Metro area, First Tech is also providing monetary and volunteer support for JA BizTown, an indoor center that contains a mini city with up to 20 public and private businesses. Every year, 8,000 4th– to 6th-grade students simulate operating a real city by engaging in activities ranging from city government, retailing, accounting, journalism and more.
In addition to participating in a Bowl-a-Thon and multiple JA in a Day events, First Tech supports Taste of Success, the annual benefit event for Junior Achievement of Northern California.
About First Tech Federal Credit Union
First Tech Federal Credit Union is a $7.35 billion institution headquartered in Mountain View, Calif. It is the nation’s premier credit union serving the world’s leading technology-oriented companies and their employees, including HP, Microsoft, Agilent, Intel, CISCO, Amazon, Nike, CH2M Hill, Intuit, Google and more. First Tech is recognized as the industry catalyst for delivering effortless banking experiences to its 380,000 members through its 40 branch locations, more than 5,000 CO-OP Branch locations, 30,000 CO-OP Network ATMs and 286,000 ATMs nationwide. First Tech offers a full range of banking services, including traditional banking, mortgage, financial planning and insurance services. For more information, visit firsttechfed.com.
About Junior Achievement USA® (JA)
Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. Today, JA reaches 4.5 million students per year in 118 markets across the United States, with an additional 5.8 million students served by operations in 120 other countries worldwide. Visit www.ja.org for more information.