Cooperative Federal was twice recognized in the past month for our outstanding community development programs.

Each year the Credit Union Association of New York (CUANY - formerly the New York State Credit Union League) awards the Desjardin Youth Financial Education Award to one New York credit union per asset category, for excellence in providing financial management training to youth. This year Cooperative Federal was the recipient of that award in the low- to modest-means category, and we will be entered into the running for the national award from the Credit Union National Association (CUNA). Thomas Dellwo, Financial Education Coordinator, and Ron Ehrenreich, Treasurer/CEO, will accept this award on behalf of the credit union at the 2008 CUANY Convention in Niagara Falls in early October.

Students with disabilities were the focus of the second award, presented by the New York State Rehabilitation Association. The Syracuse City School District won this award for the third year in a row in recognition of the collaborative Life Skills program, of which Cooperative Federal is a founding partner. Cooperative Federal trainers teach the financial management portion of this program at all four Syracuse public high schools, while other community organizations teach goal-setting, resume writing, career planning, and other crucial skills that help students with special needs transition into life after high school.

Cooperative Federal has been teaching financial education to youth in the city of Syracuse and beyond since 1999. In 2007 we released our very own, unique curriculum designed to target youth with various education levels and learning styles, including students with special needs. Programs are taught in classrooms and at after-school programs for students K-12.