Wescom Credit Union Launches Youth Month to Educate Parents & Children on Financial Literacy; Credit Union's Youth-Based Seminars and Events to Coincide with ``Financial Literacy Month''.

PASADENA, Calif. -- Wescom Credit Union has launched Youth Month in April, a series of consumer education initiatives coinciding with "Financial Literacy Month." The Wescom events are focused on educating consumers and their children on how to successfully manage their personal finances and to showcase the Credit Union's commitment to financial literacy and consumer education. Children will be exposed to such financial basics as managing checking and savings accounts and learning financial terms such as credit and debt.

The first Youth Month event was a free seminar entitled "Financially Fit Kids," which was held on April 8th at the Pasadena Hilton Hotel. Joline Godfrey, renowned author of "Raising Financially Fit Kids," discussed how parents can pass on critical money skills to their children. Godfrey has been a pioneer in the movement to increase financial literacy and empowerment in young people and is a leading expert on the subject of kids, parents and money. Her step-by-step approach helps parents encourage their kids to become smart money managers, and through her company Independent Means, she has created customized educational programs for financial institutions.

Since January, Wescom has been using her educational modules to partner with Southern California schools to teach students the importance of being financially fit. At the workshops, the students are introduced to such concepts as budgeting and accepting credit responsibility. The Credit Union has been conducting these workshops with Costa Mesa High School in Costa Mesa, Anaheim's Loara Elementary School and Riverside Poly High School in Riverside.

"Wescom's commitment to youth financial literacy is remarkable," said Godfrey. "The credit union has really taken our program to the next level with the type of outreach they are doing with the schools in Southern California. I believe Wescom will be able to make an impact with the children as the program is fun and easy to learn."

Wescom will also be hosting Youth Month seminars at select branches throughout the month. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to these free, educational one-hour sessions to learn about basic financial skills. At each seminar one attendee will walk away with a special prize. During the Youth Month Seminars, younger children can attend Reading Days where they are encouraged to bring along their favorite book and share it during an hour of reading and refreshments.

The Youth Month Seminars will be held at the following branches:

--Pasadena - Saturday, April 22 @ 2 p.m.

--Riverside - Saturday, April 22 @ 2 p.m.

--Sherman Oaks - Saturday, April 22 @ 2 p.m.

--Torrance - Saturday, April 22 @ 2 p.m.

--Tustin - Saturday, April 29 @ 2 p.m.

Other Youth Month initiatives include a Youth Month Sweepstakes that helps teach every child how fun it is to save. Children will have the chance to double their savings for every deposit between $25 and $50. Wescom will select five winners at the end of each week. In addition, every child who makes a deposit in April will receive a small gift to thank them for banking with Wescom and to help them understand the rewards of saving. At the end of the month, Wescom will also award a grand prize -- a four-pack of tickets to Disneyland.

"Wescom strongly believes in educating the next generation of consumers by providing the best financial educational programs in the communities we serve," said Darren Williams, president and CEO of Wescom Credit Union. "Our Youth Month program is just another example of the credit union industry's commitment to service. We are certain that the children will be able to use these tools and apply them in their everyday lives."

WESCOM CREDIT UNION is one of the largest credit unions in the country with more than $3 billion in assets. It is a not-for-profit, financial services cooperative serving 270,000 members at 39 branches throughout Southern California. Credit Union members have access to more than 20,000 free ATMs nationwide and a wide range of financial services, including free checking and free online bill paying. Membership is open to people living and working in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, San Diego and Ventura counties. Wescom was established in 1934 as a credit union for telecommunications employees.