Detroit-area youth take financial literacy fight to D.C. with credit union help

Lake Trust Foundation's timely $7,500 donation helped revive a Washington, D.C., financial literacy trip for Detroit-area youth. What followed? Grassroots energy, surprise donations, and a Supreme Court meeting revealing just how far the credit union difference can go.

Established by Lake Trust Credit Union in 2012, the Lake Trust Foundation has been focused on paving a path for long-term impact across the state of Michigan. So when a funding gap threatened to cancel a financial literacy trip to Washington, D.C., for Detroit-area youth, Lake Trust Foundation answered the call.

The young participants, many of whom are part of the foster care system, are involved in Money Matters for Youth, a nonprofit that teaches financial literacy to Detroit-area children and teens. Founder Gail Perry-Mason calls them "young investors," a title that reflects both their ambitions and the curriculum's focus on empowerment.

Why Lake Trust stepped in

Lake Trust Credit Union Community Impact Manager and Foundation Managing Director Amanda Huszti-Vickers first heard about the Money Matters for Youth program through a business development colleague. When she learned that the nonprofit's longtime donor could no longer support the trip, the mission-aligned opportunity was immediately clear.

Lake Trust Foundation donated $7,500 to fill a critical funding shortfall just weeks before the scheduled trip. This also prompted a groundswell of community support, turning what was expected to be a modest coin collection into a major moment of generosity. At a grassroots fundraiser held downtown, students filled jars with coins solicited from passersby, secured matching gifts, and helped raise more than $30,000—enough to fully fund their journey to the nation's capital.

"We've made a purposeful decision to really invest in organizations that support (foster youth)—especially those who are aging out of the foster youth system," Huszti-Vickers said. "These students weren't members, but they had taken the initiative to spend their free time learning about financial literacy and advocating for a better future. We saw a need and stepped in. Not for the publicity, but because it was simply the right thing to do."

Financial literacy is an empowering factor when it comes to building financial resilience. When 30 percent of U.S. adults lack $500 in emergency savings and nearly one in three have no emergency fund at all, seeing how motivating young people are to make a long-term difference made this decision an easy "yes."

The organization's decision to support this trip reflects its broader commitment to Michigan communities. Since its 2012 inception, the Lake Trust Foundation has awarded over $838,900 in small-business grants, contributed more than $1.9 million in scholarships, and donated over 600,000 meals to food banks statewide.

More than just spare change

The energy of the youth-led event- surprised even Lake Trust leadership. Curious to see the effort firsthand, Huszti-Vickers drove into Detroit on the day of the fundraiser.

"I walked into the building and there's just jars of money," she recalled. "Then they said, 'We've got the checks here too.' Someone had just donated $10,000. I did not think this was going to be like this. I was not expecting it."

By day's end, students had raised more than $2,000 in change and secured an additional $28,000 in total donations. The campaign's success covered all travel and programming expenses for the trip to Washington, D.C.

Meeting lawmakers—and making a case

While in Washington, the students met with members of the House of Representatives and Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. Their message to elected officials centered on the importance of continued investment in financial education.

By stepping into the halls of power and speaking directly with lawmakers, these students demonstrated the true value of grassroots advocacy—change begins when individuals use their voice. Their efforts are a reminder that civic engagement doesn't require an important title. It requires passion, preparation, and the courage to speak up.

"The way they carry themselves… I mean, it's just amazing," Huszti-Vickers said of the participating teens. "I was not that way at 18. So, so impressive."

"For nearly 30 years, I've leveraged my expertise in financial literacy as a tool to reach our young people," said Perry-Mason. "Lake Trust Foundation's support will have a long-lasting impact by empowering the next generation with the tools they need to achieve financial independence."

Credit union impact beyond membership

Though the teens were not members of Lake Trust Credit Union, the Foundation's investment exemplified the people—first approach that defines credit unions. The initiative also aligned closely with one of the Foundation's core areas of impact: enabling youth to thrive, particularly those in historically marginalized communities.

"This donation to Money Matters for Youth's trip is a prime example of how one action can have a lasting impact," said Huszti-Vickers. "With the Foundation's support, these young investors had the opportunity to go to D.C., meet with their legislators, advocate for financial education, and drive change within their communities. We're proud to empower them in that journey, enabling them to learn, explore, and thrive."

The donation also echoed the spirit of Lake Trust's broader outreach. Through its annual Powered by Good Day initiative, credit union staff volunteer their time and resources in communities across the state of Michigan. In 2024, that effort mobilized 340 employees, totaling 800 volunteer hours and delivered $41,400 in additional foundation donations across 39 events.

Lake Trust Credit Union, headquartered in Brighton, Michigan, was established in 2010 following the merger of Detroit Edison Credit Union and NuUnion Credit Union. It currently holds $2.6 billion in assets.