LEWISTON — The Lewiston Rec Department became a summer forum of financial education for teen workers when the United States Conference of Mayors inquired if the city would be willing to come on board with financial
education outreach to summer youth workers. Recreation Director Maggie Chisholm accepted the opportunity.

The initiative is a pilot aspect of the USCM’s National Dollar Wi$e Campaign with mayors across the nation being asked to incorporate financial education into their city’s summer youth jobs program. Mayor Laurent F. Gilbert Sr., kicked off Lewiston’s participation as one of only 25 cities nationwide making the commitment.

Speakers for the youth outreach were Kerry Hayes, president and CEO of the Lewiston Municipal Federal Credit Union and Tina Currie, financial services officer for Five County Federal Credit Union.

Session topics included understanding a pay stub, how to complete employment forms, pay day loans, the pros/cons of credit cards, credit report scores, monthly budgeting, leasing versus purchasing, check registers, purchasing versus renting, tracking debit card expenditures, co-signing for a loan, car extended warranties and needed take-home pay to cover expenses.

Next summer, Chisholm plans to expand the sessions to also include information on college loans and investments, which were two topics that attending teens said they’d like to hear more about.