USA Today features Biz Kid$ in Money section

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. (6/4/08)--BizKid$, a television program underwritten by America's Credit Unions, aimed at teaching youths about money, received coverage in Monday's USA Today Money section.

Rebecca Charbonneau, a member of Kitsap CU, Bremerton, Wash., was featured in the article. Charbonneau was in Episode 104 of BizKid$ for opening a candy store at the age of 15.

"Rebecca really embodies the message of the show," said RoxAnne Kruger, BizKid$ project manager and senior vice president of the Washington Credit Union League. "And that is, when you stay focused and have a dream, you can make anything happen."

Charbonneau has spoken at meetings and conventions on behalf of BizKid$, she added.
Financial education has never been more important--so the timing of BizKid$ is incredible, Kruger said. The show highlights the importance of financial literacy, and entrepreneurship--which is vital to the economic environment.

"Credit unions have a long tradition of fostering financial education," Kruger said. "BizKid$ is an innovative way of communicating financial education to the next generation."

BizKid$ is funded by the National Credit Union Foundation, and was developed by Junior Achievement.

It airs on 311 of the nation's 343 PBS stations in 49 states. American Public Television reported that by March, the show had reached 118 million households. It is airing in 14 of the nation's top 15 markets.

About 140 credit unions, leagues, foundations and affiliated system organizations and service providers have supported Seasons One and Two. NCUF is the show's largest funder. Other supporters include CUNA Mutual Group, the World Council of Credit Unions, the Federation of Community Development Credit Unions and several corporate credit unions.

On May 22, Biz Kid$ producers and actors hosted a group of National Credit Union Foundation Development Educators in Seattle for a three-day summer workshop. Part of the workshop included a tour of the BizKid$ set, and a preview screening of an episode.

A DVD of curriculum and other student activities related to the first 21 episodes also was distributed during the workshop. The DVD was created by Junior Achievement.

courtesy of cuna.org