EL PASO, Texas–To better understand what it’s like to struggle to make ends meet, 379 GECU employees–nearly 50% of all GECU employees, participated in the National Credit Union Foundation’s (NCUF) Life Simulations this year.
The Life Simulation is not a game; it is a three-hour activity in the simulated month of four 15-minute weeks. GECU, El Paso’s largest locally-owned credit union, implemented the life simulations to bring more awareness and create empathy for the different life situations credit union members face every day.
“A Life Simulation is designed to help credit union professionals understand the emotional and financial issues connected to managing money,” said Lois Kitsch, National Program Director at the National Credit Union Foundation. “The program sensitizes credit union professionals to respond to members with empathy while finding solutions that best meet the needs of the member and the credit union.”
GECU’s Community Development Department facilitated the NCUF Life Simulations.
GECU President and CEO, Crystal Long, stated, “Our people helping people philosophy is put to work every day and the Life Simulations help to create empathy for members’ day-to-day lives. GECU provides free financial education and has numerous products and services that are intended to help families that are underserved and unbanked in our community.”