Arlington Community Federal Credit Union, a member-owned financial cooperative serving Arlington, Falls Church, Fairfax, and Alexandria, Virginia, announced today it has awarded $30,000 in grants as part of its 2022 community impact strategy. The three grantees are Bridges to Independence, Britepaths, and Friends of Guest House. Each organization received $10,000 for general capacity use.
The credit union selected impact organizations in Northern Virginia focused on housing opportunity, financial education, or workforce development for these reinvestment grants.
“Investing in local organizations allows us to live into our purpose as a community credit union,” states Arlington Community FCU’s CEO, Karen Rosales. “These three organizations have allowed us to become deeply embedded in our local communities and create a brighter financial future for our members and the greater Northern Virginia region.”
One of this year’s recipients, Friends of Guest House, runs a Workforce and Life Development Program that immerses clients in the experiences they need to successfully reenter the community after incarceration. The Alexandria-based nonprofit has helped over 4,000 women in Northern Virginia since its founding in 1974.
“Receiving this grant from Arlington Community FCU has been incredible for our organization,” says Friends of Guest House executive director Sonja Allen. “It has allowed our organization to make further strides in preventing the cycle of incarceration and intergenerational consequences prevalent in the lives of the women we serve. These funds helped us strengthen our workforce development programming, including critical target areas such as financial literacy, workforce readiness, and independent living.”
With Community at the center of their name, the credit union ensures they are reinvesting dollars on behalf of their cooperative membership.
Through these impactful partnerships, financial education programs for schools and nonprofits, and products that empower community members to reach their financial goals, Arlington Community FCU makes a daily positive impact.
With their recently announced merger with InFirst, Arlington Community FCU is excited to continue impactful community partnerships and create new opportunities for impact throughout their entire field of membership.
For more information on Arlington Community FCU’s community initiatives, visit www.arlingtoncu.org/community.
Bridges to Independence $10,000: this grant is being given for general capacity use in Housing Opportunity. L to R: Jarius Hudson, Housing Stabilization Case Manager (Bridges); Jasmine Piggie, Development Coordinator (Bridges); Fraser Murdoch, Executive Director (Bridges); Megan Niewold, Community Impact Manager (ACFCU)
Britepaths $10,000: this grant is being given for general capacity use in Financial Education. L
to R: Shannon Bryant, Development Director (Britepaths); Megan Niewold, Community Impact
Manager (ACFCU); Lisa Whetzel, Executive Director (Britepaths)