For more than 50 years, the Project for Alternative Learning has been a place where students in the Helena School District find more than an education. PAL is a community built on tolerance, respect, and understanding, designed for students who need a different path to succeed. Through its partnership with Rocky Mountain Credit Union, that path has become broader and richer.
“At PAL, we work tirelessly to give our students experiences they would otherwise never have,” said Ryan Cooney, Social Studies teacher at PAL. “RMCU is an invaluable friend and resource to PAL and to our Helena community.”
As school budgets shrink and costs rise, experiential learning has become increasingly challenging to fund. Yet these experiences are central to PAL’s mission of providing a holistic education that supports students academically, socially, and emotionally. Through financial support and hands-on involvement, RMCU has helped ensure these opportunities remain accessible to every student who wants or needs them.
Funding Experiential Learning
RMCU has sponsored key experiences that have left a lasting impact, including a $900 sponsorship of PAL’s annual Gates of the Mountains field trip and a $1,000 sponsorship of the World Quest Conference. These contributions ensured that no student was left behind due to cost. For many students, these trips marked their first time seeing world-famous Montana landmarks or stepping onto a college campus.
“If it were not for RMCU, our school would not be able to visit the Gates of the Mountains,” Cooney said. “Many of our students had never been there, or had not been since elementary school. Seeing the beauty of the Missouri River flowing through the canyon is powerful. One student said, ‘This is the most gorgeous spot on Earth.’”
Hosting a Financial Reality Fair
Beyond field trips, RMCU employees have volunteered their time to support PAL students through initiatives like the Financial Reality Fair. Led by RMCU staff, the event gives students a realistic look at budgeting, saving, credit, and the cost of living. While the event may start with a few groans, the lessons often spark meaningful change.
“Immediately after last year’s Financial Reality Fair, a graduating senior who had never had a checking or savings account came to me asking for guidance,” Cooney shared. “She realized how important it was to save and start building credit. Seeing that lightbulb turn on is incredible.”
The impact of this partnership reaches far beyond individual events. Students who once dreaded school begin to feel empowered, invested, and capable. Some have gone on to attend college after gaining confidence through experiences supported by RMCU. Parents, many of whom are low-income, express deep gratitude knowing their children can participate in opportunities they could never afford on their own.
For Cooney, RMCU’s support is both practical and deeply encouraging.
“Knowing there are local organizations that believe in our students and what we do here is inspiring,” he said. “It allows me to dream bigger for my students and offer experiences that truly change lives.”
In addition to its work with PAL, RMCU supports nonprofits across Montana by offering specialized accounts with reduced fees. This initiative helps organizations shift focus from managing costs to fulfilling their missions, thereby strengthening communities throughout the state.
Together, these efforts reflect RMCU’s commitment to compassion, partnership, accountability, and gratitude. By investing financial resources, volunteering time, and standing alongside educators and nonprofits, Rocky Mountain Credit Union is helping students discover their potential and communities thrive.
“Because of RMCU, PAL students get world-class experiences that help shape them into curious, independent, and motivated adults,” Cooney said. “To RMCU members who make this giving possible, thank you. Your generosity truly changes lives.”
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