IU Credit Union Awards $10,000 Grant to Bloomington Chamber for Graduation Coach Initiative
Posted: March 28, 2012
IU Credit Union President & CEO, Bryan Price and IU Credit Union Board Chair, Sue Talbot (far right) present a check for $10,000 to Cindy Kinnarney, Chair of the Chamber's Franklin Initiative Advisory Council.
Bloomington, Ind. — The IU Credit Union today announced a $10,000 grant to support the Graduation Coach Initiative, a program of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce's Franklin Initiative. The grant was given as part of IU Credit Union's ongoing commitment to the communities they serve, particularly in the areas of education and financial literacy.
The Graduation Coach Initiative provides individualized counseling and career preparation for struggling students to increase the graduation rate in Monroe County. Graduation Coaches are social work professionals employed by The Chamber's Franklin Initiative who work intensively with a small caseload of at-risk students with low GPA's, low credit attainment, or poor attendance. There are three full-time Graduation Coaches — one at Bloomington High School North, Bloomington High School South, and Edgewood High School in Ellettsville — who are onsite to help students stay in school and graduate by providing focused support and removing barriers to academic success.
“This grant comes at a critical time for the Graduation Coach Initiative as we near the point when other funding grants will end. By helping us sustain this valued program, IU Credit Union is giving students more of the resources they need to complete high school and succeed after graduation,” said Cindy Kinnarney, Chair of the Chamber's Franklin Initiative Advisory Council.”
Christy Gillenwater, President & CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, welcomed attendees. Mayor Kruzan, City of Blomington, also took a moment to speak to those in attendance.
At their Annual Meeting in September 2011, The Chamber announced the pressing need to identify additional funding sources for the Graduation Coach Initiative so the initiative could continue the positive impact it has had on Monroe County's graduation rates, which are higher than they have been since the program began in 2007.
| 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BHS North | 79.2% | 81.2% | 76.1% | 83.4% | 85.6% |
| BHS South | 80.2% | 83.2% | 87.5% | 86.4% | 90.0% |
| Edgewood HS | 82.2% | 84.2% | 91.4% | 95.3% | 91.1% |
“We are so appreciative of IU Credit Union's generous support and vision,” adds Kinnarney. “Our hope is that other local businesses will follow IU Credit Union's leadership example and help our students - and our community, succeed.”
Students who drop out of high school are almost twice as likely to be unemployed than high school graduates, and they earn far less money. They are eight times as likely to be in jail or prison, and far more likely to require public assistance such as housing subsidies, food stamps, and utility assistance.
Bryan Price, President and CEO of IU Credit Union stressed the importance of this program to the community, “Preparing our young people and offering all students a chance to enhance their abilities are crucial to ensuring that Bloomington's workforce remains one of the most educated and skilled in the state.” He added, “We look forward to following up and hearing about the success stories that are bound to come from this great partnership.”
Several Graduation Coach Initiative coaches and students gather for a quick photo during the check presentation.
Since 1999, the Chamber's Franklin Initiative (FI) has helped to facilitate career awareness while helping students develop the skills necessary to succeed in employment or in continuing education. FI programs such as the Reality Store, career fairs, and job shadowing increase student engagement through real-world connections, as well as provide the critical link between the education and business communities.
About IU Credit Union: IU Credit Union is a full-service, not-for-profit financial institution with 11 branches statewide, 66,000 members, and assets of $716 million. Established in 1956, IUCU offers a full range of financial services for individuals and business owners, including mobile account access and online services at iucu.org.
About The Chamber's Franklin Initiative: For more than a decade, the Chamber's Franklin Initiative (FI) has helped to facilitate career awareness while helping students develop the skills necessary to succeed in employment or in continuing education. FI programs such as Classroom Speakers, Reality Store, and Job Shadowing increase student engagement through real-world connections, as well as provide the critical link between the education and business communities. The Franklin Initiative's Graduation Coach Initiative provides individualized counseling and career preparation for struggling students to increase the graduation rate in Monroe County students.
IUCU Helps Alpha Kappa Alpha
Posted: March 21, 2012
The Tau Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha called on IU Credit Union to participate in the Sorority's “Preparing Your Soil For Prosperity” event. Several financial topics were addressed including the Credit Union's presentation on the importance establishing good credit and living within your means.
If you are interested in having IUCU representatives speak on financial topics for your group or organization, please email the IU Credit Union Marketing Department, marketing@iucu.org.