Apple Valley, MINN. – United Educators Credit Union (UECU) recently collaborated with the Compass Program (Coon Rapids) to bring the Mad City Money simulation to approximately 100 students in the Anoka Hennepin district. The Compass Program helps meet the learning and behavior needs of students in the district who are in transition because of change or crisis in their lives.

Mad City Money offered these students a hands-on approach to learning how to manage personal finances. Students were randomly assigned occupations, including income levels and personal family situations, and then asked to budget within their means. Nearly 20 current and retired educators and administrators from the district, Education Minnesota, Educators Financial Services, and UECU volunteered to participate as merchants in the simulation.

“Mad City Money was a successful event! Students really got into character and took their roles seriously and really tried to make their budgets work. It was fun to see the students interacting with the volunteers and asked some serious real-life questions on finances and responsibilities. Many thanks to United Educators Credit Union for partnering in this valuable educational initiative.” – said Laura Hendricks, Assistant Principal - Compass Programs.

The Mad City Money simulation was made possible through a grant that UECU was awarded from the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation (MnCUF).

United Educators Credit Union was established in 1957 and is a member-owned, member-operated, not-for-profit financial institution, providing financial services to the Minnesota education community, their families, and those who support education by being a part of the United Educators Foundation. UECU offers a full line of financial services, and currently operates branch locations in Apple Valley, Coon Rapids, Minnetonka, and Woodbury.