The program ensures young New Yorkers have the practical tools they need to budget, bank, build credit, and plan for their futures.
NEW YORK (August 25, 2026) — MCU Foundation, the charitable arm of Municipal Credit Union, and Children’s Aid celebrated the graduation of teenage New Yorkers who completed a financial literacy program. The program launched through a partnership between the MCU Foundation and Children’s Aid. Participants took part in a series of workshops on budgeting, banking, credit and long-term financial planning. The program culminated in a graduation ceremony held Monday, August 24, celebrating participants for building practical money-management skills they can use now and throughout their lives.
Families of the teen graduates attended the ceremony, proudly supporting the achievements of their young scholars.
Many of the participants joined the program through New York City’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). The workshops, held weekly, were administered by financial wellness partner BALANCE, and were designed to help young people understand how everyday financial decisions can support greater stability, independence and long-term opportunity. Topics covered included mindful budgeting, practical ways to reduce expenses and college financing.
Through interactive discussions, live polls, guided reflection, and real-world examples, participants learned how to align spending with their values, strengthen saving habits, evaluate education costs, use digital tools safely, and understand the factors that shape their credit profiles — all skills that help them build a brighter financial future.
“Financial education has to reflect the realities young people face as they begin navigating money on their own,” said George Chacon, President and Executive Director of the MCU Foundation. “Programs like this give them practical skills and experience they can begin using today and continue building on throughout their lives as their responsibilities change.”
“Young people shouldn’t have to figure out money entirely through trial and error,” added Kyle Markland, CEO of Municipal Credit Union. “Understanding a credit card bill or knowing where your paycheck is going may seem basic, but these lessons can shape someone’s financial life for years. We want young people to have this critical knowledge so they can start and remain on a proper path while managing their finances."
“Giving young people the opportunity to learn about finances early provides them with a strong foundation to be intentional about how they spend, save, and manage their money,” said Brandon Henry, Assistant Director at Children’s Aid. “We’re thrilled to partner with the MCU Foundation, whose leadership in bringing this program to our teens is helping fill an important gap in financial education."
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About The MCU Foundation
Established in 2023, the MCU Foundation was created by the Municipal Credit Union’s (MCU) executive leadership with the mission of helping New Yorkers build generational wealth and eliminate poverty in the Five Boroughs. It furthers this mission by increasing access to basic necessities, education, and homeownership to uplift people in our community. For more information about the MCU Foundation and its programs, please visit mcufoundation.nymcu.org.
About Children’s Aid
Children’s Aid is committed to ensuring that there are no boundaries to the aspirations of young people, no limits to their potential. After nearly 200 years of serving New York City’s children, youth, and their families, we know what it takes to ensure children and youth grow up strong and healthy and ready to thrive in school and life: excellent education and health care, social-emotional support, and strong stable families. Today, we serve nearly 50,000 children, youth, and their families in New York City.