1st United Credit Union "Steps Up," to Help Women Find Financial Independence after Abuse
July 11, 2017
PLEASANTON, CA (July 10, 2017): For the past year, 1st United Credit Union has provided support to the Alameda County Family Justice Center’s (ACFJC) STEP-UP program which seeks to empower survivors of domestic violence to take control of their independence. Through the 7-week STEP-UP program – which stands for Survivor Training and Empowerment Program, Utilizing Your Potential – participants are taught financial literacy, employment success strategies, goal setting, and other life skills.
During the past year, 1st United has taught the basics of money management, credit scores, debt management, and identity theft protection to almost 100 women. “Our goal is to give these women the tools to feel in control of their finances,” explains Greg Pulliam, 1st United Credit Union’s Chief Administrative Officer. “Our trainers try to instill in the participants the discipline to make the right financial choices while living within their means which will keep them on track to meet their financial goals.”
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, financial self-sufficiency can be the difference between staying or leaving in a domestic violence situation. For 1st United Credit Union, partnering with the ACFJC is a means to helping their neighbors. “It’s just another way we can give back to our community beyond donations…by providing hands-on support through volunteerism and financial literacy.” Envisioned by the Alameda County District Attorney, Nancy O’Malley, and led by Executive Director, Cherri Allison, Esq., the nationally-recognized ACFJC provides comprehensive services to victims of interpersonal violence in a collaborative and coordinated way – all under one roof.
About 1st United Credit Union: It doesn’t get simpler, faster and friendlier than 1st United Credit Union. As one of the first credit unions in California, 1st United Credit Union was founded in 1932 and has been thriving in the San Francisco East Bay Area ever since. Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, or attends school in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Joaquin, Solano, Stanislaus, or Kings counties in California. We believe in local, neighborly banking and hope you will too. For more information, visit www.1stunitedcu.org. About the Alameda County Family Justice Center The Alameda County Family Justice Center’s mission is to ensure the safety, healing, and self-empowerment of victims of domestic violence and their children, of victims of sexual assault and exploitation, human trafficking, child abuse, stalking, and elder and dependent adult abuse through easily accessible, coordinated, comprehensive and culturally sensitive services. The center is made up of over 30 onsite and over 50 offsite agencies and programs that provide services and support to individuals and families. For more information, visit www.acfjc.org.