1st Financial FCU Awards $500 Grant to Employment Connection
April 20, 2017
St. Louis, MO (April 19, 2017) – On April 6, 1st Financial Federal Credit Union awarded 1st Financial member, Lisa Cross-Shelton, the “Your Community 1st” grant. The $500 grant will be used to support the mission of local nonprofit, Employment Connection.
Employment Connection offers resources, training, and support to people who are currently facing barriers to employment. Their program empowers their clients by providing resources to transportation, business apparel, and documentation for employment and housing.
Brenda Mahr, CEO of Employment Connection, said “Many of our clients are diligently trying to obtain employment; however they lack the resources and support to alleviate the challenges that are impeding their progress. Some of these roadblocks are as simple as not having a copy of their high school diploma or shoes to wear to a new job. Compounded, these small setbacks increase stress which can delay an individual’s progress. With the help of career and housing specialists, Employment Connection can assist with some of these obstacles to ensure the client’s success.”
Each quarter, one 1st Financial Federal Credit Union member receives a $500 donation from the credit union to be used towards a need or organization that focuses on financial growth in the areas of housing, financial literacy, or job training.
“We work hard to find nonprofit organizations that are strategically helping with jobs, housing, and financial literacy because we want to strengthen our community,” said Tracy Verner, Community Development Manager for 1st Financial. “The Your Community 1st grant helps us develop new partnerships with passionate individuals who fill a need in the community.”
1st Financial Federal Credit Union is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and was awarded the 2016 Community Credit Union of the Year by Credit Union National Association (CUNA).
For more information about 1st Financial Federal Credit Union and the credit union difference, visit www.thebetterwaytobank.org.About 1st Financial Federal Credit Union
Like all credit unions, 1st Financial is a member-owned, financial cooperative. 1st Financial Federal Credit Union was chartered on September 3, 1968 as District 837 Credit Union by the International Association of Machinist members employed by McDonnell Douglas. Today, with over 34,000 members and $222 million in assets, 1st Financial is a St. Louis metro area financial institution dedicated to helping members achieve their financial dreams. For over 45 years 1st Financial has provided members with a full line of dependable financial products and services which returns profits to the members in the form of lower rates on loans and higher savings yields. The cooperative nature of credit unions enables 1st Financial to provide products and services at very reasonable rates.
1st Financial Federal Credit Union serves those who live, work, worship, attend school, or regularly conduct business in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County, Missouri and a wide array of companies throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. 1st Financial is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial organization committed to providing quality services to the membership while demonstrating safe and sound business practices. Deposits are federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an agency of the U.S. Government.