First Financial Federal Credit Union (FFFCU) Limitless Leaders jumped at the opportunity to be a part of the first ever in-person pilot of the JA Finance Park program on March 2 with students from Lansdowne Middle School. The JA Finance Park is Junior Achievement of Central Maryland’s program that allows middle and high school students to practice personal financial planning and career exploration.

During the volunteer opportunity, FFFCU Limitless Leaders helped Lansdowne Middle School students navigate an interactive budgeting simulation. The Limitless Leaders, First Financial’s young professionals group, served in storefronts that each represented major line items in a budget, such as housing, utilities, food, etc. Students were assigned a random ‘life situation’ with an education level, salary, and family scenario. The students visited each storefront where they were encouraged to make financial decisions within their assigned means.

“The JA Finance Park program is an opportunity for students to begin to imagine what their futures hold, and First Financial helped the program come to life,” said Diane Pearson, Manager of Volunteer Services at JA of Central Maryland. “Volunteers really are at the heart of what we do, and they offer our students insight, perspective, and leadership for an amazing day at our facility.”

First Financial’s Limitless Leaders, founded in 2022, are the credit union’s emerging professionals who participate in professional development activities, networking events, and volunteering opportunities.

“At First Financial, we know that volunteering, providing financial education, and giving back makes our community stronger,” stated Tim Brown, Limitless Leaders Chair.  “We were thrilled to work with the Lansdowne Middle students and honored to be a part of this inaugural event at JA’s new Finance Park facility.”

First Financial’s Limitless Leaders pose in front of First Financial Federal Credit Union’s JA Finance Park storefront located in the Junior Achievement of Central Maryland building.

(Lutherville, MD) –  First Financial Federal Credit Union was recently selected by Junior Achievement (JA)as the winner of its Superstar Volunteer of the Year. The credit union, which was founded to serve the education community, is passionate about promoting financial literacy among youth – so working with Junior Achievement, the nation’s largest organization dedicated to helping youth gain financial skills, is a natural fit.

JA selected First Financial for its active involvement in the organization’s programs, specifically its JA Personal Finance Experience. These events provide students with financial situation simulations to instill in students the value of budgeting in the real world – and they require lots of hands-on help and volunteers, which First Financial is happy to provide. This school year, First Financial has led six JA Personal Finance Experience sessions, supplying anywhere from 10 to 20 volunteers for each and filling JA’s entire volunteer need for the program.

According to Junior Achievement, First Financial has “made a huge commitment to our students and schools across Baltimore and Carroll Counties. Their volunteers are providing teens with guidance and expertise on how to budget wisely. We are extremely grateful to the entire First Financial team for their commitment to our students and community, their passion for financial education and their warm demeanor with our students and educators.”

First Financial Youth Outreach Manager Cindy Jones in response to receiving the award stated, “We are truly honored to receive the Superstar Volunteer of the Year award and we are very appreciative of the partnership we have with JA. Most importantly, we are thankful for the opportunity to work with students to strengthen their financial skills and make a positive impact on their lives.”