When Mercer County Community Federal Credit Union sponsored the first students from Mercer County to participate in the Junior Achievement of Western PA’s (JA) BizTown experience, they knew it would have a positive impact on the fifth graders. The students took that experience a step further, created their own store and visited the credit union, bringing it all to life.
The JA BizTown program starts with classroom lessons on personal economics and basic finances. Students then put those lessons into action when they spend a day at the JA BizTown facility in South Fayette Township, an interactive mock town that simulates the various roles in a thriving community and helps students learn the reality of the business world.
When the Ionta Elementary students from Hermitage School District returned from JA BizTown, they chose to take their experience even further by creating an in-school store where they would sell pens, pencils, erasers and other items. The Ionta Essentials Club, led by fifth grade teacher Mike Wilson, was formed and is now in its second year. Funds raised from the club are used to support future classes of Ionta students to attend JA BizTown.
In May, Mercer County Community FCU hosted students from the Ionta Elementary School’s Essentials Club for a field trip to the credit union. Students learned about careers at a credit union, practiced writing checks and counting money. The fifth graders also had an opportunity to share with credit union representatives what they learned by going to JA BizTown and operating their store.
Inviting students to visit the credit union and learn more about finances is just one of the many ways Mercer County Community FCU supports financial literacy in the community.
