UMassFive is proud to announce that Community Engagement Manager Cait Murray has been recognized with the MassHire Annual Youth Partner Award, honoring her outstanding contributions to youth financial education and workforce readiness throughout the Pioneer Valley.
The award recognizes Murray's leadership in delivering financial literacy workshops, educational programming, and UMassFive's highly successful Reality Fair events, which help students gain practical experience managing personal finances and preparing for adulthood.
Over the years, Murray has built a strong partnership with MassHire through a shared commitment to equipping young people with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed financial decisions.
“MassHire and UMassFive share a commitment to strengthening our communities through education and opportunity,” said Murray. “Together, we're helping young people build practical financial, career, and life skills while showing them that their community is full of people and organizations invested in their success. My hope is that every participant leaves with not only new knowledge, but also the confidence to seek the resources available to them whenever they need them.”
"We are incredibly proud of Cait and grateful for her dedication to the youth of our Pioneer Valley," said Craig Boivin, VP of Marketing at UMassFive. "This recognition reflects the positive impact she has made on hundreds of students and families and reinforces the importance of financial education in building stronger communities."
One of the signature programs recognized through Murray's work is UMassFive's Reality Fair, an immersive financial simulation that gives students a firsthand look at the financial realities of adult life.
On March 18 and 19, UMassFive partnered with MassHire and Greenfield Community College to host Reality Fair events for more than 400 students from 12 area high schools. After selecting a career path, students assumed the role of a 25-year-old adult and navigated real-world financial decisions involving housing, transportation, insurance, food, savings, and other everyday expenses while balancing a digital budget.
The experience concluded with one-on-one coaching sessions led by UMassFive volunteer financial coaches. The program's impact was reflected in post-event surveys, where students reported a 35% increase in confidence creating a monthly budget. Additionally, 85% of participants said the experience changed how they think about the relationship between income and lifestyle, while 90% said they would recommend the program to a friend.
Another initiative spearheaded by Murray in collaboration with Northampton Senior Branch Manager Eurika Boulay welcomed children and families to its Hadley Branch on May 30 for a day of hands-on learning and community engagement at the second annual UMassFive Family Fun Fest.
The event drew families from across the region to participate in activities designed to introduce financial concepts in a fun and approachable way. Children built piggy banks and made their first deposits, created savings-focused vision boards, explored homeownership concepts, and participated in a variety of educational and creative activities alongside local community partners.
Together, programs like Reality Fair and Family Fun Fest reflect UMassFive's commitment to helping young people build financial confidence at every stage of life—from elementary school-aged children learning the basics of saving to high school students preparing for major financial decisions.
As a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative, UMassFive remains committed to investing in the financial well-being of future generations through education, community partnerships, and hands-on learning experiences that help young people develop skills for lifelong financial success.
To learn more about UMassFive's youth and teen banking programs, visit umassfive.coop/youth-teen-banking.
