Credit union helps AAI keep youth local

by Staff Aroostook Republican
8 years ago

     PRESQUE ISLE — The County Federal Credit Union has announced support for the Aroostook Aspirations Initiative (AAI). 

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Contributed photo

Ryan Ellsworth, president and CEO of The County Federal Credit Union, presents Kristen Wells, executive director of the Aroostook Aspirations Initiative, with a $1,000 donation to help AAI continue its work to retain and employ youth in Aroostook County.  

     In the spirit of the founders of the AAI, the credit union presented a $1,000 donation Aug. 31 to the initiative to help them continue their work with stemming the outmigration of youth from Aroostook County. 

     In making the donation Ryan Ellsworth, CFCU president and CEO, stated, “The value of our area retaining our young people is immeasurable. This unique program is in the forefront of providing opportunities to help stem the outmigration of our future workforce. We all need to be involved to achieve that goal and provide opportunities to allow them to work, live and thrive in Aroostook County.”

     “Outmigration of our youth from Aroostook County has reached staggering proportions,” stated Kristen Wells, executive director of AAI. “Young people labor under the misconception that in order to get a quality education and find good jobs, they need to leave ‘The County’.  Statistics show that students are likely to remain in the area where they receive their post-graduate education. 

     “Aroostook Aspirations is offering our students an opportunity to receive top quality education and find career opportunities right here in Aroostook, helping them stay here and become an important part of ‘The County’s’ fiber,” Wells added.

     “This donation fits with our philosophy perfectly,” stated Ellsworth, “Our organization was founded in 1956 with the credit union philosophy that we contribute to our area with ‘people helping people’.”

     For more information on Aroostook Aspirations Initiative visit their website at gauvinfund.org.

 

     The County Federal Credit Union, with branches in Caribou, Presque Isle, Fort Fairfield and Houlton, is celebrating its 60th year.