BOOKER T. WASHINGTON ACADEMY OF FINANCE STUDENTS TO RUN A SCHOOL-BASED ENTERPRISE—A BRANCH OF THE DADE COUNTY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

Miami, FL – Students enrolled in the National Academy Foundation Finance program will be experiencing a first at the school—applying what they have learned in their classes and during their summer internship in a real business at the school. 

Senior and junior class students in the Academy of Finance, under the management and mentorship of the Dade County Federal Credit Union (DCFCU), will operate a credit union branch that provides services to students and staff.  This program is designed to provide critical life-skills training in financial literacy, develop career awareness and work readiness skills and positively influence student academic achievement.  According to Dr. Yelena Stewart-Revere, the Smaller Learning Communities Coordinator, “students have been preparing all summer as part of their internship program for the opportunity to apply what they have learned in the classroom and workplace in a school-based enterprise.”

The branch is staffed by students and designed to serve the financial needs of the school's staff and student body. M-DCPS supports this project as a strategy for aligning the curriculum to the seven industries targeted for growth under the One Community One Goal initiative.

“We are proud to partner with Miami-Dade County Public Schools and provide opportunities for students to gain first-hand work experience in the financial sector and financial literacy education before graduating high school,” said Dade County Federal Credit Union President and CEO George Joseph.

Lillian Cosio, Chair of the Academy of Finance Advisory Board stressed the importance of developing the financial literacy skills of our students.  She added, “these opportunities afforded by the Academy of Finance and our business partners such as the Dade County Federal Credit Union provide the exposure and access to students who desire a career in Finance.  This is a major factor in helping our youth become college and career ready for their future.”                     
The Booker T. Washington branch of the Dade County Federal Credit Union will be open for business on school days during lunchtime and after school hours.  Students, under the supervision of a DCFCU representative, will be able to make deposits and withdrawals, open savings, checking and club accounts, as well as answer financial-related questions.  

For additional information, contact: Tony Renesca, Lead Teacher at sirtonyrenesca@dadeschools.net.

About Dade County Federal Credit Union 
Dade County Federal Credit Union is headquartered in Doral, Fla. and serves students and families of Miami-Dade County.  Founded in 1939, Dade County Federal Credit Union is one of the oldest financial institutions in Miami-Dade County. The credit union is committed to increasing financial educational opportunities for students.  In addition, Dade County Federal Credit Union annually awards a $1,500 scholarship to a worthy student at Booker T. Washington Senior High School.

For additional information, contact: Marla Ferreira, Senior Vice President – Planning/Development, Dade County Federal Credit Union at (786) 845-3167 or mferreira@dcfcu.org.

About National Academy Foundation
The National Academy Foundation (NAF) is a national network of career academies to support the development of America’s youth toward personal and professional success in high school, higher education and throughout their careers.  For nearly 30 years, NAF has refined a proven model that provides young people access to industry-specific curricula, work-based learning experiences, and relationships with business professionals.

During the 2011-12 school year, 500 NAF academies served more than 53,000 students across 41 states, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  NAF’s national graduation rate of 90% testifies to the effectiveness of this effort.  Miami-Dade County Public Schools, under the auspices of School Choice & Parental Options, has 48 NAF programs in 25 senior high schools that encompass the career themes of Finance, Hospitality and Tourism, Information Technology, Engineering and Health Sciences.

For additional information about the Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ NAF programs, please contact School Choice & Parental Options at (305) 995-1922 or choice.dadeschools.net.

Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho joins Booker T. Washington students at the Dade County Federal Credit Union grand opening along with dignitaries featured left to right:  Dr. Pablo Ortiz, Dr. Lupe Diaz, Dr. Yelena Stewart-Revere, School Board Member Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall, Principal William Aristide, Representative Cynthia A. Stafford, and Miami -Dade County Commissioner Audrey M. Edmonson.

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