CUNA Mutual Group said it will take its local after-school volunteer program nationwide. The company said the goal is to offer the community service initiative to credit unions as a way to help middle-schoolers in need, and strengthen the involvement of credit unions in their communities.
The "Lend A Hand" pilot program was launched by CUNA Mutual and eight Madison-area credit unions in September 2003 to help credit unions partner with local schools in recruiting 200 tutors for middle-school students during after-school hours.
"Research shows the 3 to 6 p.m. time period is a vulnerable time for middle-schoolers," said Steve Goldberg, CUNA Mutual Group Foundation executive director. "'Lend A Hand' is especially helpful to those students who may already be at risk due to disadvantaged circumstances."
CUNA Mutual has made available on its website at www.cunamutual.com (click on "Resources") free tools that credit unions can download to develop the program in their own communities. The toolkit includes a "how to'' guide to help credit unions organize a volunteer tutoring program with local middle schools and a variety of marketing materials that can be customized to promote the community service program to employees, members and the community.
