Youths Discover a New Path for Learning

MAPLE GROVE, MN--(Marketwire - February 11, 2010) - Employees at TopLine Federal Credit Union have partnered with Minnesota nonprofit BestPrep in volunteering to help students understand the relationship between classroom learning and career skills. BestPrep's program, eMentors, joins business professionals with senior high students to offer career-related advice and a glimpse into post-secondary and real-world experiences.

Twenty TopLine employees have been serving as one-on-one email mentors to 20 students from Osseo Senior High School in Osseo, MN. The students, with the guidance of their teachers, have been corresponding weekly with their mentors based on questions relating to financial literacy and career-related skills.

"Developing relationships between adult professionals and Minnesota students is what eMentors is all about," says Bob Kaitz, President and CEO, BestPrep. "An email mentoring partnership between students and volunteers from almost any career field helps students understand how to connect what they learn in the classroom with what they can do for a career. eMentors is an excellent opportunity for students to learn how the skills they develop in school play into their future success in the workplace -- and in life."

"This has been a great opportunity for our employees to carry on our goal of giving back to our communities," says Harry Carter, president and CEO, TopLine Federal Credit Union. "Participating in this program is one of many ways that our employees continue to demonstrate their commitment to help future generations succeed."

BestPrep is a Minnesota nonprofit with a mission to best prepare students with business, career and financial literacy skills through experiences that inspire success in work and life. Enriching teaching and learning experiences for students and educators, BestPrep's programs connect classroom theory with the world that lies beyond academia. Each year, more than 80,000 students and educators are served by BestPrep's five programs, with the help of more than 2,500 volunteers.

TopLine Federal Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based credit union, is Minnesota's 13th largest, with assets of more than $260 million. Established in 1935 and celebrating its 75th year of operations in 2010, TopLine offers a complete line of financial services from its headquarters in Maple Grove, and five branch offices located in Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Edina, Maple Grove and Plymouth, as well as by phone and online at http://www.TopLinecu.com. Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott or Washington Counties and their immediate family members.

Contact Information: CONTACT: Vicki Erickson Marketing Director TopLine Federal Credit Union verickson@toplinecu.com 763.391.0872