At Mercer County Community Federal Credit Union (MCCFCU), supporting the community means investing in its youngest members. Earlier this month, MCCFCU welcomed the Ionta Essentials Club for an interactive field trip focused on financial literacy. The group consists of 25 fifth-grade Ionta Elementary School students led by teacher Mike Wilson.
The Essentials Club began in 2024, following the Credit Union’s sponsorship of Ionta students to attend Junior Achievement of Western PA’s JA BizTown. JA BizTown is an immersive mock town where students assume professional roles within their businesses, designed to expose them to real-world scenarios through hands-on activities. This experience inspired the Essentials Club to operate an in-school business where they sell items such as erasers, pencils, and school supplies.
During the field trip, students learned about careers at the Credit Union. Students practiced writing checks and counting money. Students were also given the opportunity to take a tour of the building and ask questions. “I was very impressed with their questions,” said Sandi Carangi, CEO of MCCFCU. “Their interest in managing finances at such a young age is important to developing life-long skills in budgeting, spending, and saving.”
Mercer County Community Federal Credit Union is a proud supporter of financial literacy initiatives throughout the community.
