On April 15, Gov. Tony Evers honored eight individuals and five organizations as recipients of the 2020 Governor’s Financial Literacy Awards in a virtual ceremony. The recipients were honored for their efforts in helping Wisconsinites build their financial literacy and capability skills. 7 Rivers Region Chapter of Credit Unions, Royal Credit Union, Educators Credit Union, and Marine Credit Union Foundation were among the recipients.
“Financial education should build on and respond to people’s individual strengths, circumstances, and needs in order to help them work toward their own unique goals,” said Gov. Evers. “The dedication of these individuals and organizations to help Wisconsinites become more financially secure and achieve their dreams is commendable and helps ensure not only the future success of individuals and families, but our entire state.”
In the organization category, 7 Rivers Region Chapter of Credit Unions was honored for their partnership with Asset Builders of Wisconsin to host the annual Finance & Investment Challenge Bowl in the coulee region.The Finance & Investment Challenge Bowl is a financial literacy program for high school students which culminates in a live, college bowl tournament where teams compete to determine regional champions that then advance to the state championship tournament. Thanks to the generosity of the Wisconsin Credit Union Foundation Inc. and its “REAL Solutions Grant,” the 7 Rivers
Region Chapter of Credit Unions were able to award over $6,000 in scholarships to help students finance their higher education.
Also in the organization category, Royal Credit Union was honored for their Test Drive Digital program, a virtual version of their in-person reality fair "Test Drive...Next Stop Reality." In the spring of 2020, Royal Credit Union was preparing to host four in-person reality fair events, which would have reached over 1,000 students. The goal was to offer high school students a real-life simulation of managing money and finances to help them gain a better understanding of what it takes to make it on their own as a 25 year-old young adult. Almost overnight Royal Credit Union created this digital simulation and now over 1,200 students have participated.
In the legacy category, Educators Credit Union was honored for their transformative financial literacy efforts. Educators innovatively provides a plethora of outlets for students to easily access free, in-depth financial education, such as Reality Check Day, Junior Achievement, EverFi, Banzai, MPS Homeless Back Packs, Educators Credit Union Scholarships, High School Branches and so much more.
Finally, in the legacy category, Majel Hein was honored for 8 years of service as a financial counselor and financial wellness advocate at Marine Credit Union Foundation. In this role, Majel has cultivated relationships with local colleges, school districts, homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, addiction houses and organizations, various businesses, and prison re-entry programs. Majel has helped thousands of clients find their way to financial wellness. Marine Credit Union Foundation hired Majel to build a homeownership program which includes clients of color to help them on their journey to financial stability and homeownership.
View the Wisconsin DFI press release.