Premier America Credit Union and For The Need Foundation Partner to Empower Youth at "Moolahlah: Dollars & Dreams"
PACOIMA, CA – October 21, 2024
Premier America Credit Union, a not-for-profit financial cooperative committed to supporting community growth and financial wellness, recently partnered with For the Need Foundation to host “Moolahlah: Dollars & Dreams,” an exciting day of financial empowerment for local youth and their families.
The event, held on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the Boys & Girls Club of San Fernando Valley, focused on equipping underserved children with the skills and knowledge to build successful financial futures.
A total of 39 children, 11 parents, and 31 dedicated volunteers participated in the day’s enriching activities. Founded in 2004, For the Need Foundation has long been a beacon of hope for youth experiencing poverty, homelessness, and abuse, providing mentorship and education to help break the cycle of hardship.
Taylor Pizinger, Program Coordinator for For the Need Foundation, reflected on the day’s success, sharing, “Our Moolahlah: Dollars & Dreams event was truly incredible. It was amazing to see the excitement and engagement from both the kids and parents. The energy in the room was contagious, with everyone coming together to learn and grow. Volunteers went above and beyond, and the feedback we received from families was overwhelmingly positive. Many said it was the best event we’ve ever had, and that sense of community and empowerment made it all worthwhile! We are so appreciative of Premier America for partnering with us to make this event possible—together, we made a lasting impact on the families we serve!”
The day kicked off with finance-themed story-time activities for preschoolers and young elementary students, introducing them to the basics of earning and saving money in a fun, accessible way. Middle and high school students took part in the Bite of Reality simulation, where they were given a job, salary, and credit score, and tasked with making real-world financial decisions, from housing and transportation to food and clothing, all while managing a family.
High school participants also had the opportunity to work with Waste Management, a partner of For the Need, to build resumes, learn about job applications, and participate in mock interviews. This hands-on experience gave students valuable insights into the professional world and prepared them for future employment.
The day wrapped up with a Banking Basics Seminar for teens and their parents, where participants explored the differences between traditional banks and credit unions, learned budgeting techniques, and received practical tips to help navigate their financial journeys.
About Premier America Credit Union:
Premier America is a full-service community financial institution that offers exceptional banking to more than 100,000 Member-Owners. Member-Owners benefit from personal service, great savings rates, low fees, low loan rates and a full complement of savings, lending, wealth management, and insurance services. Founded in 1957, Premier America is one of the nation’s largest credit unions, with more than $3.7 billion in assets. With 21 retail branches, access to over 30,000+ surcharge-free ATMs through the CO-OP ATM Network; and the CU Service Center Shared Branch Network, Premier America provides financial services to those who live, work, worship or attend school in the Ventura and Los Angeles counties of California, and Harris County in Texas. To learn more about Premier America, please visit www.PremierAmerica.com.
A Premier America Credit Union team member assists a participant during the Bite of Reality financial simulation at the Moolah-lah: Dollars & Dreams event, held on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the San Fernando Valley Boys & Girls Club. The event, hosted in partnership with the For the Need Foundation, provided teens with a hands-on budgeting and financial experience.
A For the Need Foundation volunteer explains meal and grocery options to a child during the Bite of Reality financial simulation at the Moolah-lah: Dollars & Dreams event. The event, hosted by Premier America Credit Union in partnership with For the Need, took place on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the San Fernando Valley Boys & Girls Club, offering children hands-on lessons in budgeting and financial decision-making.
A For the Need Foundation volunteer guides a child through the Bite of Reality financial simulation during the Moolah-lah: Dollars & Dreams event. The simulation, part of the event held on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the San Fernando Valley Boys & Girls Club, provided young participants with practical lessons in budgeting and financial decision-making.
A Premier America Credit Union team member engages young participants with a financial-themed story during the Moolah-lah: Dollars & Dreams event. The event, hosted in partnership with the For the Need Foundation on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the San Fernando Valley Boys & Girls Club, aimed to teach children early financial literacy through interactive storytelling.
Premier America Credit Union, a not-for-profit financial cooperative committed to supporting community growth and financial wellness, recently partnered with For the Need Foundation to host “Moolahlah: Dollars & Dreams,” an exciting day of financial empowerment for local youth and their families.
The event, held on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the Boys & Girls Club of San Fernando Valley, focused on equipping underserved children with the skills and knowledge to build successful financial futures.
A total of 39 children, 11 parents, and 31 dedicated volunteers participated in the day’s enriching activities. Founded in 2004, For the Need Foundation has long been a beacon of hope for youth experiencing poverty, homelessness, and abuse, providing mentorship and education to help break the cycle of hardship.
Taylor Pizinger, Program Coordinator for For the Need Foundation, reflected on the day’s success, sharing, “Our Moolahlah: Dollars & Dreams event was truly incredible. It was amazing to see the excitement and engagement from both the kids and parents. The energy in the room was contagious, with everyone coming together to learn and grow. Volunteers went above and beyond, and the feedback we received from families was overwhelmingly positive. Many said it was the best event we’ve ever had, and that sense of community and empowerment made it all worthwhile! We are so appreciative of Premier America for partnering with us to make this event possible—together, we made a lasting impact on the families we serve!”
The day kicked off with finance-themed story-time activities for preschoolers and young elementary students, introducing them to the basics of earning and saving money in a fun, accessible way. Middle and high school students took part in the Bite of Reality simulation, where they were given a job, salary, and credit score, and tasked with making real-world financial decisions, from housing and transportation to food and clothing, all while managing a family.
High school participants also had the opportunity to work with Waste Management, a partner of For the Need, to build resumes, learn about job applications, and participate in mock interviews. This hands-on experience gave students valuable insights into the professional world and prepared them for future employment.
The day wrapped up with a Banking Basics Seminar for teens and their parents, where participants explored the differences between traditional banks and credit unions, learned budgeting techniques, and received practical tips to help navigate their financial journeys.
About Premier America Credit Union:
Premier America is a full-service community financial institution that offers exceptional banking to more than 100,000 Member-Owners. Member-Owners benefit from personal service, great savings rates, low fees, low loan rates and a full complement of savings, lending, wealth management, and insurance services. Founded in 1957, Premier America is one of the nation’s largest credit unions, with more than $3.7 billion in assets. With 21 retail branches, access to over 30,000+ surcharge-free ATMs through the CO-OP ATM Network; and the CU Service Center Shared Branch Network, Premier America provides financial services to those who live, work, worship or attend school in the Ventura and Los Angeles counties of California, and Harris County in Texas. To learn more about Premier America, please visit www.PremierAmerica.com.
A Premier America Credit Union team member assists a participant during the Bite of Reality financial simulation at the Moolah-lah: Dollars & Dreams event, held on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the San Fernando Valley Boys & Girls Club. The event, hosted in partnership with the For the Need Foundation, provided teens with a hands-on budgeting and financial experience.
A For the Need Foundation volunteer explains meal and grocery options to a child during the Bite of Reality financial simulation at the Moolah-lah: Dollars & Dreams event. The event, hosted by Premier America Credit Union in partnership with For the Need, took place on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the San Fernando Valley Boys & Girls Club, offering children hands-on lessons in budgeting and financial decision-making.
A For the Need Foundation volunteer guides a child through the Bite of Reality financial simulation during the Moolah-lah: Dollars & Dreams event. The simulation, part of the event held on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the San Fernando Valley Boys & Girls Club, provided young participants with practical lessons in budgeting and financial decision-making.
A Premier America Credit Union team member engages young participants with a financial-themed story during the Moolah-lah: Dollars & Dreams event. The event, hosted in partnership with the For the Need Foundation on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the San Fernando Valley Boys & Girls Club, aimed to teach children early financial literacy through interactive storytelling.