National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions
Dan Apfel believes in cooperatives. The first co-op he joined while a student at the University of Rochester, Minowin Environmental Cooperative (MEC), was one that he helped to formalize.
Apfel explained, "It was an intentional community at the University of Rochester, built by friends on environmentally sustainable principles. I was dedicated to the environment and wanted to live in a supportive setting for working on issues of positive environmental and social change — where I could live my beliefs." The co-op provided this setting.
While living at MEC, Apfel helped a group start another Rochester housing cooperative, Ant-Hill Cooperative. Through his work with Ant-Hill he became involved with Genesee Co-op Federal Credit Union, a local credit union that belongs to the federation. That involvement ultimately led him to a career with community development credit unions (CDCUs). "Because of my experience with co-ops and Genesee Co-op FCU, I realized the huge potential impact of community member-owned financial institutions," Apfel stated.
Apfel is currently the education and training associate and youth program coordinator for the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions, where he coordinates an annual youth conference and helps youth programs connect to each other. Youth credit union programs, or YCUPs, are run by youth as relatively independent arms of CDCUs and give young people in impoverished communities an opportunity to get involved with and serve their community while learning valuable skills and gaining financial knowledge.
Mission SF FCU's youth credit union program in San Francisco is a successful example of a youth program. A Mission SF Federal Credit Union, the YCUP was designed and started by youth in 1996, and has been supported by other credit unions including Patelco CU. Still going strong, the program currently has 500 members and $75,000 in assets, and is engaging more youth to improve their financial literacy skills and to help them build assets.
Check out former Youth Credit Union Program (YCUP) leader Annie Hou's thoughts on YCUP.
© 2007 National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions
Apfel and the Federation believe that it is essential for the future of our communities and organizations to incorporate youth into credit unions and cooperatives. The Federation is committed to supporting credit unions as they help young people become leaders for positive change in their communities.
Learn more about National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions (NFCDCU) at www.cdcu.coop.