MAPLE GROVE, MN--(Marketwire - November 30, 2010) - Through Minnesota nonprofit BestPrep and the North Hennepin Area Chamber of Commerce, employees at TopLine Federal Credit Union have partnered with Park Center High School in Brooklyn Park in volunteering to help students understand the relationship between classroom learning and career skills. BestPrep's program, eMentors, joins business professionals with senior high school students to offer career-related advice and a glimpse into post-secondary and real-world experiences.

TopLine employees have been serving as one-on-one email mentors to Park Center's International Baccalaureate Business Management students during the Fall 2010 semester. With the guidance of their teachers, these students have been corresponding weekly with their mentors to help them understand how to apply what they learn in the classroom to the workplace. The TopLine eMentors share their post-secondary and work-related experiences, along with career-related tips, to help students prepare for life after high school.

"Developing relationships between adult professionals and Minnesota students is what eMentors is all about," says Bob Kaitz, President and CEO, BestPrep. "An email mentoring partnership between students and volunteers from almost any career field helps students understand how to connect what they learn in the classroom with what they can do for a career. eMentors is an excellent opportunity for students to learn how the skills they develop in school play into their future success in the workplace -- and in life."

"This has been a rewarding experience for our employees and demonstrates their commitment to help future generations succeed," says Harry Carter, president and CEO, TopLine Federal Credit Union. "Providing a positive experience for youth to understand what they learn in the classroom and how this applies to life after post-secondary is one of many ways our employees carry on our goal of giving back to our communities."

BestPrep is a Minnesota nonprofit with a mission to best prepare students with business, career and financial literacy skills through experiences that inspire success in work and life. Enriching teaching and learning experiences for students and educators, BestPrep's programs connect classroom theory with the world that lies beyond academia. Each year, more than 80,000 students and educators are served by BestPrep's five programs, with the help of more than 2,500 volunteers.

TopLine Federal Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based credit union, is Minnesota's 13^th largest, with assets of more than $270 million. Established in 1935 and celebrating its 75^th year of operations in 2010, TopLine offers a complete line of financial services from its headquarters in Maple Grove, and four branch offices located in Brooklyn Park, Edina, Maple Grove and Plymouth, as well as by phone and online at www.TopLinecu.com. Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott or Washington Counties and their immediate family members.

Contact Information:

CONTACT:
Vicki Erickson
Marketing Director
TopLine Federal Credit Union
verickson@toplinecu.com
763.391.0872