Gesa Credit Union Wins Regional CUNA Award for Financial Education

Gesa Credit Union has been named a regional Credit Union National Association (CUNA) award winner for demonstrating outstanding commitment through ongoing support of its community through events and financial services.
 
The CUNA awards are named in honor of three of the Credit Union Movement’s founding leaders who believed deeply in the credit union motto, “People Helping People.” CUNA honors those beliefs through awards that celebrate the community action taken by credit unions across the country.
 
This year, Gesa Credit Union received the Alphonse Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award.
 
Gesa’s CUNA Award was celebrated at the Northwest Credit Union Association’s annual MAXX Convention in Boise, Idaho, Oct. 7. The NWCUA is the regional trade association representing credit unions in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
 
“Gesa recognizes the value of service, and their financial education programs speak to the future success of young people throughout their communities,” said Christine Ruzzi, NWCUA’s Assistant Vice President, Enterprise Engagement. “We congratulate them on this prestigious award.
 
Alphonse Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award

Alphonse Desjardins founded the first credit unions in the United States and Canada, and pioneered youth savings clubs and credit union branches in schools.
 
Gesa carries on this tradition through its youth financial education programs, which have always been a cornerstone of Gesa’s community efforts. Amid the pandemic, Gesa hosted a variety of webinars, partnered with Junior Achievement, and launched a month-long Financial Literacy Challenge. The credit union also provided real-work experience to students throughout its 12 campus branches.
 
“Providing financial education is a cornerstone of who we are at Gesa and we could not be more honored to have received this award from the Credit Union National Association,” said Don Miller, President and CEO of Gesa Credit Union. “We’re passionate about this issue, especially as it relates to younger people. Financial education is a north star for us and will continue to be.”