First Financial was eager to recently attend the 2026 Carroll County Public Schools Transition Fair! The fair is an annual event that connects families of children and young adults – from infancy to 21 years – with various services, agencies, and post-secondary supports.

The fair featured a mix of presentations, resource exhibitors, and guidance on navigating the transitions from school to adulthood.

First Financial is committed to helping the youth in our community access the services and support networks that prepare them for the next stages of their lives and empower them to thrive!

First Financial was proud to serve as the exclusive sponsor for Notre Dame of Maryland University’s (NDMU) Academic Fair. The event welcomed approximately 120 students and chaperones from local middle schools for a fun, educational day on campus!

NDMU’s freshmen class hosted the Academic Fair and gave the middle school students a taste of college life. Guests enjoyed a campus tour, participated in hands-on workshops such as art or basketball, and shared lunch in Gator Alley, NDMU’s main dining hall.

The highlight of the day was the interactive sessions. Using skills they developed in their own freshmen seminar, NDMU students led engaging sessions on topics such as goal setting, time management, conflict resolution, stress management, healthy social media use, team building, active listening, and managing money.

By sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm, the NDMU freshmen inspired younger students to start thinking about their own academic journeys. We are honored to support an event that encourages learning, confidence, and future success!

Our team laced up our sneakers and joined the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center in celebrating National Walking Day! SJMC staff could walk the mile-long trail around the hospital, stopping by the First Financial table along the way to grab information, say hello, and join in a little fun.

To keep the energy high during the Walking Fair, First Financial hosted a simple game to give the walkers a chance to win a small prize. It was a great day to connect with the hospital staff, share a few smiles, and highlight how we can support their families too!

We were proud to join our partner in promoting their staff’s financial well-being, while cheering on physical wellness. First Financial is honored to serve the hospital, participate in its wellness fair, and continue building meaningful relationships with those who care for our community every day.

First Financial was honored to recently attend a networking dinner for the next cohort of the Outstanding Young Women’s Leadership Program, joined by local mentors such as Carroll County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Cynthia McCabe and Towson University‘s first Presidential Scholar and OWYL founder, Dr. Nancy Grasmick.

The Outstanding Young Women Leadership Program started in 2020 through a partnership between Towson University’s Women’s Leadership Collective, founded by Dr. Grasmick and Baltimore County Public Schools. First Financial is proud to serve as this cohort’s sponsor.

During dinner, students shared conversations with local mentors about their industries, career and life advice, and workshopping different career paths. Dr. Cynthia McCabe and Dr. Nany Grasmick both spoke to the group. As part of the dinner, the students also designed and created centerpieces for each table as well.

First Financial is proud to sponsor this cohort of the Outstanding Young Women’s Leadership Program and to champion the promising futures of these young women!

First Financial was thrilled to recently attend the Richcroft Kahlert Café Ribbon Cutting Ceremony! The Kahlert Café is an inclusive community café that hires individuals with disabilities and trains them in food and customer service, all while in a supportive environment.

This initiative was made possible through Richcroft, who has been a proud partner of First Financial for 5 years. Through First Financial’s sponsorship of the Kahlert Café initiative, they were able to build a welcoming space that empowers individuals with disabilities to gain the skills and confidence to thrive in the workforce.

It was a great day for everyone involved, and we’re so excited to see these individuals learn and grow in an environment built to support them!

We were excited to partner with the Maryland Realtors Association of Carroll County as they joined First Financial’s Youth Outreach Team to lead our Adulting 101 simulation at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Carroll County! This was the first time the program was held after school at the Club for middle and high school students.

Adulting 101 takes students through a given monthly budget. By visiting different stations and volunteers, students decide how much of their income per month they want to allocate to everyday expenses such as groceries, clothing, education, childcare (if needed), and more!

As a credit union founded by educators, First Financial is committed to providing free and interactive resources to the youth in our community. Adulting 101 is just one of many ways the credit union helps prepare students for their continued success and long‑term financial well‑being.

Interested in scheduling Adulting 101 for your classroom? Please contact our Youth Outreach Team at youthoutreach@firstfinancial.org.

First Financial is proud to celebrate Cindy Jones, AVP of Business & Community Partnerships, who was recently honored as the Business Person of the Year at the Maryland Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference.

This recognition highlights Cindy’s outstanding dedication to supporting Maryland students through financial literacy, career preparation, and meaningful community engagement. Her leadership, passion for education, and commitment to expanding financial knowledge have made a lasting impact on schools and families across the state.

Cindy’s long-standing board service and statewide leadership reflect her dedication to preparing youth with the tools they need to succeed in college, careers, and everyday life. She regularly partners with educators, local schools, and nonprofit organizations to bring valuable financial education resources to students throughout Maryland.

Her generosity, professionalism, and hands-on involvement exemplify the mission and values of FBLA. Cindy’s recognition as Maryland FBLA’s Business Person of the Year is a well-deserved honor that not only celebrates her achievements but also her dedication to preparing the next generation of business leaders in our community.

The Maryland FBLA Business Person of the Year award honors influential leaders who have made significant contributions to the success of Future Business Leaders of America and demonstrated exceptional support for student development.

First Financial is proud to help bring brighter smiles to the Eastern Shore by donating $2,500 to Eastern Shore Rural Health (ESRH). This contribution will help purchase Direct Digital Radiography (DDR) sensors for the school-based dental program at Accomack County Public Schools. These new sensors will allow ESRH to deliver high-quality dental care with greater efficiency, clearer imaging, and reduced radiation exposure.

Eastern Shore Rural Health provides essential healthcare services to everyone in the community, no matter their ability to pay. They support Virginia’s Eastern Shore with primary medical and dental care, health education, prescription assistance, digital X-rays, lab work, travel immunizations, and more.

As the credit union proudly serving Accomack County Public Schools, we’re honored to support ESRH’s mission of providing access to quality care for all and helping create a healthier Eastern Shore, one smile at a time.

First Financial is proud to support the families and communities of Somerset County with a $2,500 donation to the SCPS Judy Center.

The Judy Center partners with local public schools to help families with young children access important services, like health screenings, adult education, early learning opportunities, and family activities.

Our donation will help sponsor the Center’s Community Baby Shower, providing new and expectant mothers with helpful resources, education, and encouragement.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to support programs that make a difference and create brighter futures for families in our community.

We’re proud to continue our commitment to supporting local students and families by contributing $5,000 to the Worcester County Public Schools (WCPS) Families in Transition (FIT) Program.

The FIT Program plays a vital role in helping students experiencing homelessness stay connected to their education. By providing essentials like clothing, food, transportation, and temporary housing, the program ensures that every student has the stability and resources needed to succeed.

Our donation helps strengthen these efforts and supports the mission of ensuring that all students have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. We’re honored to support the incredible work WCPS is doing for the youth in our community.