ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Velera said it has launched a credit union-focused partnership with 3DE by Junior Achievement that will operate under the “Credit Unions Nationwide." With Velera as the lead sponsor for this case study, it has partnered with 14 credit unions in six U.S. cities – Atlanta; Tampa; Houston; Kansas City; Minneapolis; and Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Velera said 3DE is an innovative model for public education focused on reengineering high school in order to provide economic opportunity for all students.
“3DE by Junior Achievement is an immersive public high school model serving over 15,000 students across 60 schools in 32 districts and 13 states,” Velera said, adding 3DE “makes learning relevant by connecting education to real-world concepts, drives engagement through business connectivity, and enhances student retention with opportunities to apply academic knowledge.”
CU-Focused Case Study
According to Velera, it and the credit unions involved have co-authored a credit union-focused case study for students in 3DE Schools. 3DE ninth-grade students in participating cities and schools will engage with the case study, “developing the 3DE competency of self direction and an understanding of the value of credit unions and the importance of savings”
Velera further stated the new partnership with 3DE by Junior Achievement will “amplify current efforts” with Junior Achievement (JA) across the industry, with more than 350 credit unions in 41 states already working with JA in some capacity.
“In fact, credit unions were recently recognized with a Gold U.S. President's Volunteer Service Award for dedicating over 10,000 hours of volunteerism to JA,” Velera said.
Other recipients of this recognition included Accenture LLP, Ernst & Young LLP, Johnson & Johnson, JPMorgan Chase, KPMG LLP and the National Credit Union Foundation.
‘Extremely Proud’
“Velera is extremely proud and excited to have the opportunity to establish a partnership with 3DE by Junior Achievement on behalf of the credit union industry,” Velera President and CEO Chuck Fagan said in a statement. “Many credit unions already work with Junior Achievement at the local level, and we are energized to elevate credit union involvement on a larger scale and supplement the great work already taking place. We are looking forward to putting the ‘people helping people’ credit union philosophy into practice through this partnership, and to help prepare our nation’s youth to meet the challenges of today’s financial landscape.”
The Credit Union Participants
Credit unions currently partnering with Velera on the new Credit Unions Nationwide initiative include:
- Associated Credit Union (Norcross, Georgia)
- Blaze Credit Union (Falcon Heights, Minn.)
- CommunityAmerica Credit Union (Kansas City, Mo,)
- Floridacentral Credit Union (Tampa)
- Georgia United Credit Union (Duluth)
- Grow Financial Federal Credit Union (Tampa)
- Mazuma Credit Union (Overland Park, Kan.
- Resource One Credit Union (Dallas)
- Shell Federal Credit Union (Deer Park, Texas
- Smart Financial Credit Union (Houston)
- Suncoast Credit Union (Tampa)
- USF Federal Credit Union (Temple Terrace, Fla.)
- Wellby Financial Credit Union (Houston)
- Wings Credit Union (Apple Valley, Minn.)
Goal is to Expand
Velera said its goal is to continue expanding this partnership following a successful pilot program during the 2024-2025 school year. Credit unions interested in participating can contact JA@pscu.com for more information.