PORTLAND, OR -- On August 17, Point West Credit Union will receive its Juntos Avanzamos ("Together We Advance") designation from the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions (The Federation) for its outreach and dedication to the local Hispanic/Latino community.
"As a CDFI certified credit union committed to serving minority and underserved populations in the Portland metro area, this designation is a reflection of our mission and the efforts our staff, members and community partners to help everyone achieve financial wellness" explained Amy Nelson, President/CEO of Point West Credit Union. "We are humbled and understand that the real work of economic empowerment lies ahead of us."
The Juntos Avanzamos designation is contingent upon a credit union's commitment and ability to serve Hispanics regardless of their immigration status. The program also seeks to standardize operational processes and procedures to ensure a more consistent experience for community members. Qualifications include bilingual member-facing employees, partnerships with Hispanic community organizations, financial education, and competitively priced products and services for Spanish speakers.
"It is an honor to welcome Point West to this program," noted Pablo DeFilippi, The Federation Vice President of Membership and Business Development. "This credit union is truly committed to financial inclusion and to opening the doors of opportunity to a community that so desperately needs access to affordable and equitable financial services. We congratulate Amy Nelson and her team on being the first credit union in Oregon to obtain the Juntos Avanzamos certification."
Juntos Avanzamos was developed by the Texas Credit Union League in 2005 as a Hispanic outreach program for credit unions. Now a national program sponsored by The Federation in conjunction with numerous state credit union leagues, including the Northwest Credit Union Association and the Mountain West Credit Union Association, it encompasses fifty credit unions across twelve states.
Point West's Juntos Avanzamos celebration is planned for Wednesday, August 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the credit union's headquarters, located at 718 NE 12th Ave in Portland. The event will include live music, local food, an address from State Representative Tobias Read, and additional speakers from Centro Cultural, the Northwest Credit Union Association, and The Federation. To attend, visit pwjuntosavanzamos.eventbrite.com.
Point West Credit Union is 100% not-for-profit, member-owned awesomeness headquartered in Portland, Oregon. With a bilingual staff ready to help its members achieve financial wellness, Point West works with its community partners to bring economic empowerment to the underserved, and needed capital to local microenterprise businesses--all with an unwavering commitment to its members and its cooperative roots. Find out more and join Point West today at
www.pointwestcu.com.
