Thursday, August 25, 2011

Credit Union ONE Educates Students on Starting Out Right

Project Genesis students gathered for presentation
Ferndale, Michigan – When Credit Union ONE was contacted by Detroit Medical Center’s Project Genesis, and making a presentation to the students involved in the program, they knew instantly this was something they wanted to do. This would be an opportunity to educate these students about the basics of savings and credit; starting them off right in the banking world.

Through DMC's Project Genesis, high school and first-year college students get hands-on experience in the healthcare industry by working at sites throughout the Detroit Medical Center.

On August 10, 2011 John Kozich, Executive Director of Community Relations for Credit Union ONE spoke with close to 110 students for approximately one hour about what to expect as they begin to enter their financial adult life, and how to avoid some of the pitfalls associated with some of the possible financial decisions they may make. Main discussion topics focused on credit and savings: what is it and why is it important; how to build, protect and monitor it; and what to do if you have a problem with it. Students had the opportunity to ask questions that they had about what they may experience or are already experiencing in their lives.

DMC’s Project Genesis began back in 2006, and is an eight-week program for students going into their junior or senior year of high school. Students may apply through their high schools for up to three years for the program. Part of the process of being chosen to participate included obtaining letters of recommendation, writing an essay about what education means to them, their plans to pursue a medical career, and why they thought they should be in the program. The program gives students an opportunity to utilize and enhance their skills, as well as allowing them to see what working in the medical field is all about.

Credit Union ONE, headquartered in Ferndale Michigan for over seventy years, offers a wide array of financial services and access to over 28,000 ATM’s nationwide, serving 106,000 members, with nineteen offices in three major metropolitan areas, including Metro Detroit, Grand Rapids and Traverse City. For more information go to http://www.cuone.org/

Contact Judi Desilets, Director of Public Relations for Credit Union ONE, 248-584-5224, Judi_Desilets@cuone.org