MAPLE GROVE, MN--(Marketwired - Apr 21, 2014) - In February and April TopLine teamed up with YouthCARE (Youth for Cultural Appreciation and Racial Equality) of Minneapolis and St. Paul to provide a financial literacy workshop for students who participate in their Community Service Stars Employment Training Program.

Forty teenagers, age 14-18, from across the Twin Cities participated in YouthCARE's sessions of their Community Service Stars Employment Training Program, which is an 8-week training program that focuses on communication, time management, post-secondary options and financial literacy. The training program provides meaningful employment and service-learning opportunities for urban youth, from diverse ethnic, cultural, and racial backgrounds.

As part of the 8-week program, TopLine Federal Credit Union conducted a financial literacy workshop emphasizing goal setting; how to budget; how to make saving a habit; how to divide income into saving, sharing and spending buckets; and how to use a checking account and debit card. TopLine's session also outlined for students which kinds of accounts to open; what questions should be asked when opening accounts; and how to protect personal information to avoid identity theft.

"Each teen who participates in the Community Service Stars Employment Training Program earns minimum wage, and one of the eye opening topics for our students was learning from TopLine about overdrafts -- what really happens when your bank account is overdrawn? When you see how a $10 lunch can add up to over $60 after overdraft fees, that really hits home on how important it is to manage your money," says Vanessa Montalvo, Community Service Stars Crew Leader. "This is their first job, so we are trying to teach students about the importance of basic financial skills early on, so they have the tools they need to make wise financial decisions throughout their lives." 

"Studies show that kids who learn about managing savings and checking accounts are more likely to save, create goals, have a budget and have money to make purchases," says Vicki Erickson, Vice President of Marketing, TopLine Federal Credit Union. "That's why TopLine is committed to assisting kids in programs like this one from YouthCARE -- we are here to help build the next generation of well informed consumers and financially savvy young adults."

Since 1974, YouthCARE has led ambitious multicultural youth development programs to empower youth in Minneapolis and St. Paul to thrive and lead. YouthCARE has consistently risen to meet the needs of a diverse and changing community, providing real life employment and leadership opportunities. Through innovative programming and relationships with caring adults, participants find the support, education, and perspective to become global citizens and community leaders. A preeminent organization in youth development, YouthCARE challenges youth to contribute to their communities, develop friendships across cultures, and view their futures as infinite possibilities. YouthCARE operates three primary programs: the Young Women's Mentoring Program, Camp Sunrise, and YouthLEAD. For more information visit http://www.youthcaremn.org.

TopLine Federal Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based credit union, is Minnesota's 13^th largest, with assets of more than $340 million. Established in 1935, the not-for-profit cooperative offers a complete line of financial services, as well as auto and home insurance, from its five locations -- in Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Plymouth and in St. Paul's Como Park -- 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.