Empowering the Students of Dorothy Hamm Middle School

At the USSFCU Foundation, we believe that financial literacy is more than just a set of skills—it is one of the most powerful tools a student can possess to build a secure and independent future. With that mission in mind, we were thrilled to recently visit the students of Dorothy Hamm Middle School for an interactive and eye-opening deep dive into “Marketing, Money, & Credit!”

Across two days and six different classes, we engaged with students to explore the complex relationship between their personal values and their spending habits. In an age of constant digital advertising, we challenged the students to think critically about why they want the things they do. By discussing how a passion for sports, art, or future travel should be the true driver of their financial choices, we helped them recognize how savvy marketing often tries to steer those choices elsewhere.

To give them a "behind-the-curtain" look at the business world, we explored the "Four P’s" of marketing—Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. By breaking down these strategies, students learned how to identify the tactics businesses use to attract customers, transforming them from passive shoppers into mindful, informed consumers.

We rounded out the experience by covering the essentials of credit, stripping away the confusion and emphasizing how maintaining healthy habits today creates financial freedom tomorrow. By bridging the gap between daily spending and long-term borrowing, the USSFCU Foundation aims to replace financial uncertainty with confidence.

The USSFCU Foundation is proud to invest in the students of Dorothy Hamm Middle School, ensuring that the next generation is equipped with the knowledge and confidence to navigate their financial journeys with success.