Tucson Federal Credit Union Partners with Local Nonprofits to Deliver Real-World Career & Financial Skills

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on July 23, 2025

TFCU's Robyn Austin (center) was honored with Volunteer of the Year by Junior Achievement

For the second consecutive year, Junior Achievement of Arizona (JA), Pima County Joint Technical Education District (JTED), and Tucson Federal Credit Union have teamed up to deliver hands-on career and financial literacy education to local teens through JTED’s Summer Internship Program.

Held throughout June and early July at JTED @ The Bridges campus, this dynamic program offers 11th and 12th grade students on-site internships arranged by JTED and in-classroom instruction led by community volunteers. The result is a robust “learn-and-do” experience that prepares students for life beyond high school and fills an often slow summer season with real opportunity.

This year, 100 high school students, most from under-resourced neighborhoods, participated in the program, underscoring its reach and growing impact.

Among the volunteers was TFCU’s Robyn Austin, named JA’s 2025 Volunteer of the Year out of more than 800 volunteers. Austin returned for her fourth year of service to lend her expertise in two impactful JA programs: It’s My Job (Soft Skills), which is focused on professionalism, communication, team-building, and workplace technology etiquette; and Personal Finance, a program which spanned five weekly sessions (2–3 lessons per week), covering budgeting, credit, debt, and real-world financial decision-making.

Austin’s service is self-initiated, unpaid, and deeply impactful. She teaches across elementary, middle, and high school levels and recruited new volunteers, including fellow TFCU team member Katie McKeever.

“Financial literacy is foundational to building strong communities, and Robyn’s work in this area has been transformational for so many young people in Pima County,” said Matthew Gaspari, CEO of Tucson Federal Credit Union. “She is empowering them with the knowledge and confidence necessary to make sound financial decisions and we are so proud of Robyn and her impact on this community.”

“We’re so proud of Robyn and her unwavering enthusiasm for teaching financial literacy to Tucson’s youth,” added Paloma Santiago, JA Southern Arizona District Director.

“At JTED, we believe that every student deserves access to real-world experiences that prepare them for both career and life,” said Kathy Prather, CEO/Superintendent of Pima JTED. “This partnership reflects the best of what happens when educators, industry leaders, and nonprofits come together to empower young people with purpose, skills, and confidence. Our students are not just learning—they’re becoming future-ready.”

A Holistic Collaboration

Pima JTED is a public Career and Technical Education District that works with businesses and 14 member public school districts to provide premier CTE programs to approximately 22,000 high school students each year. JTED provides a structured internship framework and connects students with industry mentors. Junior Achievement brings proven programs in soft skills, finance, and entrepreneurship.

TFCU supplies passionate, self-motivated volunteers who mentor and inspire.

This model reflects Pima JTED’s ongoing commitment to partnering with local businesses and educational organizations to enrich student experiences. Opportunities include guest speaking, classroom instruction, internships, and job shadowing, ensuring that what students learn aligns with the evolving needs of the workforce.

JA’s K–12 programming prepares students across Arizona for success by focusing on three essential areas: financial literacy, workplace readiness, and entrepreneurial thinking.

TFCU has outbound and inbound experts who help members and members in the community learn about and manage their finances through personal finance advisors, programming, and apps like their Zogo app.

Posted in Arizona, Community Impact, Regional Member News, Top Headlines.