News from our members

Clinton High School Students attend CU4 Reality Fair

CU4Reality_LCU_PRMore than 100 students attended the Clinton High School CU4 Reality Financial Fair sponsored by Leominster Credit Union on March 30, 2016. The Financial Education Fair prepares students for the many financial decisions they will need to make once out of school. Students prepare for the event through a yearlong curriculum that introduces them to skills on responsible money management, creating a budget and making wise decisions regarding credit. The CU4 Reality Financial Fair is a three-hour exercise where students select a career with realistic salaries and then start on a “financial education” journey visiting booths attended by local businesses, volunteers and LCU employees to gain a real life understanding of living expenses.

Students visited booths where everyday life experiences and spending situations were presented. Volunteers including auto dealers, realtors, lenders, utility providers, retailers and others who helped them understand the actual expenses and how to develop a spending plan. This event brings awareness and a focus on “needs versus wants.” Students learned that they may need to change expectations. Instead of buying a car, they may need to take public transportation; or they may need share living expenses with a roommate in order to make ends meet.

Students from Nichols College served as ‘credit counselors’ and reviewed each student’s plan. They showed them where they were over budget and recommended adjusting their choices by eliminating some of the ‘wants’ in order to have enough for the necessities.

John O’Brien, President and CEO of Leominster Credit Union commented, “It is very rewarding to be a part of this event at Clinton High School. This Financial Fair presents real life experiences, creates awareness of financial circumstances and assists the students in preparing for their future. We’d like to thank those who took time out of their busy schedules to support this event. We are grateful to Principal Jim Hastings, Superintendent of Schools Terrance Ingano, the business owners and professionals from the Town of Clinton, Donna Bevilacqua of the Credit Union League, Julie Horrigan from the State Treasurer’s Office and Mary Ann Manning of the MA Division of Banks.
Ingrid Adade, LCU’s Financial Education Officer and event coordinator commented, “The Financial Education Fair was a great success. We hope that the curriculum and the CU4 Reality Financial Fair have helped the students gain the necessary money management and budgeting skills to prepare them for their futures.” Adade continued,”Ellen Welsh, Business teacher at CHS helped with preparations starting early in the planning stage. In addition to the learning that took place at the fair itself, Ms. Welsh’s students were hard at work behind the scenes designing booth signage and displays. Other students helped with registration and served as Student Ambassadors to welcome students and guests, and there was even a student reporter and photographer. I also want to thank the volunteers and the Nichols High School students who donated their time and experience to the students. Their support helped make this a very successful experience. It was truly a community event!”

5/7 – Leominster Credit Union to hold Spring Shred-A-Thon

Leominster Credit Union will hold a Shred-A-Thon at its headquarters located at 20 Adams Street, Leominster, MA on Saturday, May 7, 2016 from 9:00AM – Noon.

Members and non-members can get rid of old, sensitive documents by shredding and recycling them at the Shred-A-Thon. All items will be shred on site by a secure shredding service, New England Security Shredders.

Members of the community can bring up to three legal size file boxes or three 13-gallon kitchen trash bags to be shred for free. However, we will be accepting donations to Habitat for Humanity during the event. The Shred-A-Thon helps raise awareness about recycling and of course the importance of shredding personal documents to protect against identity theft.

Important documents to bring to the Shred-A-Thon include bank statements, tax returns, medical bills, credit card statements and other personal documents.

For more information contact Joanne Lattanzi, Marketing Manager 978-466-7240 or

Founded in 1954, Leominster Credit Union (LCU) is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative with a full range of deposit, lending and other financial services. Headquartered in Leominster, Massachusetts, LCU is proud to claim nearly 50,000 members and more than $600 million in assets. LCU has seven branch locations in Leominster, Worcester, Clinton, Holden, Sterling and North Leominster with ATM services at all branch locations. 24-hour online banking services are available at www.leominstercu.com and by telephone at 800-649-4646.

Leominster Credit Union Conducts Book Drive

Leominster Credit Union is collecting new and gently used books during the month of April in association with the Massachusetts Credit Union League’s Annual Book Drive.  The books will be donated to local organizations providing an educational resource for many children.  The books may be dropped off at any Leominster Credit Union Office by April 30, 2016.  For more information contact Kathy Hurley at 978-466-7242 or .

Simonds-Hurd April Complementary Care Classes

Fri., 4/1/16                         

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

Sat.,4/2/16         

9:00 -10:00am                    Yoga for Fitness, new 6 week series begins today $60/$12 drop-in, call to register.*

 

Sun.,4/3/16

2:00-4:00pm                       Oneness Blessing Circle, suggested donation $10 to support the Angie’s Spa grant providing free therapeutic services to our cancer patients in treatment

Mon., 4/4/16

4:30-5:15pm                       Strength training for beginners/seniors, new 3 week series begins $30/$12 drop-in, call to register.*

5:30-6:30pm                       Zentangle – Art as Meditation, new 3 week series focusing on Mandalas, $30/ $12 drop-in, please call to register.*

5:30-6:30pm                       Yoga with Linda – Leominster Campus, Guild Conference Room, new 5 week series begins tonight, $50/$12 drop-in  – advance payment required. Call to register now*

Tue.,4/5/16

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

6:00-7:00pm                       Advanced Strength Training, new 4 week series begins tonight $40/$12 drop-in, call to register.*

 

Wed.,4/6/16

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

 

6:00-7:00pm                       Qigong , new 4 week series begins tonight $40/12 drop-in, call to register.*

 

Thu., 4/7/16

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

5:30-6:30pm                       Yoga for Stress Relief –$12 drop-in

 

Fri., 4/8/16                         

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

6:00-7:30pm                       Rest & Restore Yoga – $15, appropriate for all levels, call to register*

 

Sat., 4/9/16        

9:00 -10:00am                    Yoga for Fitness, – $12 drop-in

 

Mon., 4/11/16

4:30-5:15pm                       Strength training for beginners/seniors, $12 drop-in, call to register*

 

5:30-6:30pm                       Zentangle – Art as Meditation, – Mandalas, $12 drop-in, please call to register.*

 

5:30-6:30pm                       Yoga with Linda – Leominster Campus, Guild Conference Room, $12 – advance payment required. Call to register now*

 

Tue.,4/12/16

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

6:00-7:00pm                       Advanced Strength Training, $12 drop-in, call to register.*

 

Wed.,4/13/16

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

6:00-7:00pm                       Qigong – drop-in $12, please call to register*

 

Thu., 4/14/16

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

5:30-6:30pm                       Yoga for Stress Relief –$12 drop-in.

 

Fri.,4/15/16                       

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

Sat., 4/16/16     

9:00 -10:00am                    Yoga for Fitness, – $12 drop-in

 

Tue.,4/19/16

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

6:00-7:00pm                       Advanced Strength Training, $12 drop-in, call to register*

 

Wed.,4/20/16

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

6:00-7:00pm                       Qigong – drop-in $12, please call to register*

 

Thu.,4/21/16

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

5:30-6:30pm                       Yoga for Stress Relief – $12 drop-in, please call to register*

 

Fri.,4/22/16                       

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

Sat.,4/23/16      

9:00 -10:00am                    Yoga for Fitness -$12 drop-in

 

Mon.,4/25/16

4:30-5:15pm                       Strength training for beginners/seniors, $12 drop-in, call to register*

 

5:30-6:30pm                       Zentangle – Art as Meditation, – Mandalas, $12 drop-in, please call to register.*

 

5:30-6:30pm                       Yoga with Linda – Leominster Campus, Guild Conference Room, $12 – advance payment required. Call to register now*

Tue.,4/26/16

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

6:00-7:00pm                       Advanced Strength Training, $12 drop-in, call to register*

 

Wed.,4/27/16

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

6:00-7:00pm                       Qigong – drop-in $12, next four week series starts 5/4, $40, call to register now*

 

Thu.,4/28/16

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

5:30-6:30pm                       Yoga for Stress Relief – $12 drop-in

 

Fri., 4/29/16

6:00-7:00pm                       *Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

 

Sat.,4/30/16      

9:00 -10:00am                    Yoga for Fitness -$12 drop-in

 

MWCC Speaker Series Continues with Immigration and the Undocumented Student

Whether their relatives relocated to the U.S. generations ago or arrived just recently, participants in Mount Wachusett Community College’s dialogue on immigration realized their family histories share a common theme: Their parents, grandparents, ancestors or even they themselves emigrated for the hope of a better life and greater opportunity.

More than 80 students, faculty, staff and community members turned out to discuss “Immigration and the Undocumented Student.” The March 28 Tea Time Speaker Series event was sponsored by the college’s Diversity Consortium and Gateway to College program, through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, in partnership with the American Association of Colleges & Universities.

The forum was moderated by MWCC Senior Resource Specialist Sharmese Gunn, who developed the Tea Time series as a way to create a dialogue around diverse issues that engages the college community and members of the greater community.

MWCC Trustee Joana Dos Santos, executive director of the United Neighbors of Fitchburg/Cleghorn Neighborhood Center, opened the discussion on a personal note, describing her experience moving from Uruguay to Fitchburg at age 14 when the U.S. had a waiver agreement with Uruguay. While in high school, she realized how expensive college would be as an undocumented student.

Through scholarships, community service programs and support through MWCC, she earned her associate degree. Her immigration status was resolved while she was in college when her green card was granted, and she continued on for a bachelor’s degree at Fitchburg State University.

Realizing the process for others can take decades and entail even greater struggles and obstacles, she has become a strong advocate for immigration reform. Her 40-minute presentation included an overview of the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) programs, now pending before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Following her presentation, participants broke out into small group discussions, sharing a bit of their family history and their thoughts on the national debate on immigration reform. MWCC student Mili Silva, who was involved with planning the event, stood to thank the crowd for attending and asked for their support on this issue.

“I just hope the outcome of this event helps people become well informed on the issue.”

MWCC alumna Joan Mellanson of Gardner was among the community members attending. She shared in her group discussion that although she speaks with an accent, she was born in the U.S. Virgin Islands and is a U.S. citizen. More than four decades after moving to Massachusetts as a young teenager, she said she still encounters judgment.

“I still feel like an alien at times.”