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Youth Financial Literacy Programs
Youth financial literacy programs play a vital role in equipping young individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the complex world of personal finance. Our youth financial literacy programs at Unity Catholic FCU aim to provide young people with a solid foundation in money management, budgeting, saving, investing, and other essential financial concepts. By empowering youth with financial literacy, these programs help set them on a path toward financial independence and success.
James E Flynn Memorial Scholarship
The costs for your child's Catholic education only seem to add up as they grow. We are proud of your children’s achievements, and want to show them our support! Apply for the James E. Flynn Memorial Scholarship to help with the cost. We have $500 and $1,000 scholarships available for Unity Catholic members, kindergarten through 12th grade.
We'll award
Four Elementary Scholarships (for students entering Kindergarten through 8th grade) at $500 each for a total of $2,000
Five High School Scholarships (for students entering 9th through 12th Grade) at $1000 each for a total of $5,000
If your child is an active member of Unity Catholic Federal Credit Union and attends a Catholic school within the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland or Eparchy of Parma, they are eligible to apply! The deadline for applications is December 31.
2025-26 School Year James E. Flynn Memorial Scholarship Winners
| Scholarship Amount | Name | School Attending |
|---|---|---|
| $500 | Katie | Saint Ambrose Catholic School |
| $500 | Benjamin | Saint Ambrose Catholic School |
| $500 | Mia | Saint Ambrose Catholic School |
| $500 | Kyler | Saint Ambrose Catholic School |
| $1,000 | Shelby | Magnificat |
| $1,000 | Harper | Holy Name High School |
| $1,000 | Sarah | Padua Franciscan High School |
| $1,000 | Chayson | Holy Name High School |
| $1,000 | Makayla | Padua Franciscan High School |
Student Savers
Our unique Student Savers program encourages school-age members to save by having their own Savings Account. One day each week, a Student Savers Representative from Unity Catholic FCU will be at school to accept savings deposits.
Currently, the schools that participate in the Student Savers program are:
| DAY OF THE WEEK | SCHOOL | TIME |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | St. Charles Borromeo | 7:45 a.m. |
| Tuesday | St. Ambrose | 7:15 a.m. |
| The Academy of St. Bart | 7:30 a.m. | |
| Our Lady of Angels | 8:00 a.m. | |
| Wednesday | St. Angela Merici | 7:30 a.m. |
| St. Thomas More | 7:55 a.m. | |
| St. Mary of the Falls | 8:10 a.m. | |
| Thursday | St. Leo the Great | 7:30 a.m. |
| St. Anthony of Padua | 7:30 a.m. | |
| St. Mary Byzantine | 8:00 a.m. | |
| Friday | Incarnate Word Academy | 7:30 a.m. |
Students
Our Student Savers program is for school-age children and young adults through the eighth grade. Nearly 1,000 local youth are involved, each developing good saving habits by having his or her own Savings Account and making regular deposits. Students enjoy this program that is full of surprises, special events, and a good financial foundation.
At School
One day each week, a Student Savers Representative from the credit union visits participating schools to accept deposits from student savers. Each school has a designated day, so students may plan ahead to make deposits to their Savings Accounts. Although deposits are accepted at the school as well as at any credit union branch, withdrawals must be made in person at any credit union branch.
Accounts
Like our regular Share Savings Accounts, Student Savers Accounts have no service fees, can be opened with as little as $5, and pay dividends.
Special Incentives
We know that young people are motivated by rewards. That’s why we offer age-appropriate incentives for saving. From stickers to surprises, and don’t miss our Youth Month Party usually in June. We encourage regular deposits by our Student Savers!
Sites for Ages 18 and Under!
We value our relationship with you and want to provide resources on being smart with your money.
You'll find information about:
Earning and borrowing
Saving and budgeting
Keeping track of spending
You'll also find out more about credit unions!
Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award
Unity Catholic Federal Credit Union was recently recognized for its efforts in the financial education of its younger members.
The Ohio Credit Union League, a state trade association, recently acknowledged Unity Catholic FCU’s financial literacy efforts by awarding them with the Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award, which recognizes leadership within the credit union movement regarding financial literacy targeted toward younger credit union members.
Unity Catholic FCU, a not-for-profit financial cooperative, received the award based on its many efforts to educate younger members of the community on making smart financial choices. Their efforts include classroom presentations to various Catholic schools throughout the Cleveland area; an annual Youth Week celebration that provides special incentives for the credit union’s younger members who develop good saving habits; its Student Savers Program, which enables students at 12 Catholic elementary schools to make deposits to their credit union accounts directly at their school when a credit union representative visits weekly; the credit union’s “Centipedes Teller Window” at which kids can make deposits into their accounts at a specially-designed three-dimensional kid-friendly teller station; and the “Chatterbox Cha-Ching” newsletter – an educational newsletter aimed at elementary and middle school students to teach them tips and trivia about money and how to manage it.
“We’re thrilled to have been honored with this prestigious award,” said Tam Straight-Schervish, former CEO of Unity Catholic FCU. “We understand how critical financial literacy is to our younger members, and we want to make sure we’re doing what we can to teach them the importance of building good financial habits – both saving and spending their money. The programs we have implemented reach many students, and we’re proud to have our efforts recognized by the Ohio Credit Union League,” she added.
The League annually acknowledges select credit unions for their efforts in financial literacy. The winners of the Ohio League’s contest will advance to the national competition. The award’s namesake, Alphonse Desjardins, organized the first credit union in the United States.
Unity Catholic Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial institution that serves all parishioners, students, employees, and corporate entities of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland.