(Contact: Epoch 5 Public Relations)
Huntington High School Graduates Kelly McConnell and Raul Flores
to Intern at Bethpage for On-Site Work Experience
Bethpage, NY– Bethpage Federal Credit Union, New York State’s largest credit union, announces its partnership with Legislator William Spencer to offer Long Island youth the opportunity to obtain on-site work skills through “Lead by Example,” a summer internship program initiated by Legislator Spencer to pair youth ages 14-21 with local businesses.
Two Huntington High School graduates will become Bethpage Branch Assistance Representatives through August 17, 2012. Kelly McConnell will be interning at the Bethpage Huntington Branch, and plans to attend Towson University in the Fall. Raul Flores will be interning at the Bethpage Melville Branch, and will attend Nassau Community College in the Fall.
Bethpage announced its role in Lead by Example during a press conference last week held at the credit union’s Huntington branch, where Bethpage hosted the program kick-off. As part of its involvement, Bethpage is offering the above mentioned two paid positions for students in the program as well as financial literacy workshops for all students involved.
The program, which includes high school and college students residing in Northport, Huntington, Cold Spring Harbor and Commack, begins July 9, 2012 and runs through August 17, 2012. Local businesses and corporations, including Bethpage, will provide skill-building employment and mentoring opportunities which will give the youth the opportunity to develop the necessary work skills to help them obtain a job in the future.
“Bethpage is pleased to partner with Legislator Spencer to help provide actual work life experiences for students,” said Kirk Kordeleski, President and CEO, Bethpage. “In this highly competitive work environment, students need any advantage they can get when it comes to work experience. I am confident that Lead by Example, combined with the financial literacy workshops provided by Bethpage, will give the students the edge they need to help them succeed.”
“I am excited about the community response to this initiative,” said Legislator William Spencer. “I would especially like to thank the businesses that have joined me in this effort. This program is particularly timely as we face the challenges of high unemployment. By the community reaching out and embracing these young people, I am hopeful our students will benefit from the experience offered to them and become responsible, productive members of our society.”
Bethpage Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative, existing solely to serve its members and has experienced rapid growth in recent years to become a strong alternative to banks. Bethpage was approved for the largest federal community charter in the U.S. in 2003 and now is Long Island’s largest credit union and leading community financial institution with over 203,000 members, 26 branches and 60 shared service center locations throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties. As a financial cooperative, Bethpage offers better rates, lower fees and a full menu of personal and commercial financial services.
Bethpage maintains branch locations in Bay Shore, Bay Shore King Kullen, Bethpage, Central Islip, Commack King Kullen, Elmont, Farmingdale, Freeport, Glen Cove, Hempstead, Huntington, Levittown King Kullen, Lynbrook, Massapequa, Melville, Mineola, North Babylon, Patchogue, Port Jefferson, Riverhead, Seaford, Smithtown, Roosevelt, West Babylon and Westbury with over 425 surcharge-free ATMs in King Kullen, 7-Eleven, CVS Pharmacy and Costco locations throughout Long Island. For more information, call 1-800-628-7070 or visit www.bethpagefcu.com.