Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/835962
BUSINESS DE VELOPMENT OFFICERS: Brad Mankin (Murfreesboro office) bmankin@redfcu.org T. LeJuan George lgeorge@redfcu.org Sharon Junior sjunior@redfcu.org Q. How have your life experiences prepared you to mentor other youth? A. You can never quite understand some situations unless you've experienced them. en you must learn how to rise above it and be successful. My mother always said, 'Focus on school, God and family, and I would be successful.' at's what I share with others. Q. What has the Boys and Girls Club meant to you? A. When I lived in the homeless shelter, instead of going back there after school, I would go to the Boys and Girls Club. It gave me positive ways to spend my time. Not only did I gain role models, I became one along the way. Q. Why did you choose electrical engineering as a future career? A. Engineering will be a great area to make an impact on the world. I've always wanted to be an engineer. I've been accepted into every university that I applied to. I'm just trying to find more scholarships now. If you would like to appear in the Member's Moment column, just send your name and an interesting tidbit about yourself to aspire@redfcu.org. r e d f c u.o r g | 15 Carl S. Ross first enrolled in the Boys and Girls Clubs at age 7. It was a safe place for him to learn, have fun and get help when needed. Over the years, he experienced homelessness and saw first-hand how untreated mental illness can affect an entire family. rough it all, the Boys and Girls Club was a constant for Carl. is year he was named 2017 Youth of the Year by the Boys and Girls Club of North Alabama. He was also runner-up for the state award. As a recent graduate of Lee High School in Huntsville, Carl is preparing to attend college this fall and plans to become an electrical engineer. Member's Moment: M E M B E R S H I P (Continued from page 2) It's disappointing, but it won't stop our efforts to intercede for those who are being taken advantage of by these businesses. Redstone decided several years ago to launch a strategic initiative to break the cycle of exploitative payday lending in Alabama. We offer stretch and payday alternative loans, which provide a small-dollar, short-term lending option at a lower fixed interest rate than payday loan stores. We also provide financial counseling – in person, during seminars, or through the Balance Financial Fitness Program®. We work through schools and other non-profits to educate people on financial literacy and teach them how to avoid the need for a payday loan. Our free seminars cover topics such as: Building a Better Budget, Understanding Your Credit Score and First-Time Home Buying. Whatever cause or issue you are passionate about, I encourage you to advocate on its behalf. Be a part of the solution and let us all work to make our communities the best they can be.