CCCU partners with FHLBank San Francisco to award Lighthouse Charities $25,000 to help refugees in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS, NV (December 19, 2023) — Clark County Credit Union (CCCU) has partnered with the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBank San Francisco) and its AHEAD economic development grant program to award $25,000 to Lighthouse Charities. The AHEAD program enables FHLBank San Francisco members like Clark County Credit Union to give a critical boost to local programs and projects that target pressing community needs and bring greater opportunity to underserved populations. The CCCU-sponsored grant will fund Lighthouse Charities’ work to provide refugees from more than 25 countries with access to opportunities that promote self-sufficiency, encourage personal growth, foster healing and restore hope to job-seeking refugees in North Las Vegas.
“On behalf of Lighthouse Charities, we are blessed to be considered for this grant award,” said Cindy Trussel, Executive Director/CEO and Founder. “Lighthouse knows the importance of building community relationships and we are very thankful to be able to give back to the Las Vegas Refugee population through this partnership with Clark County Credit Union.” Cindy came to the United States as an immigrant born and raised on a farm in Australia. Drawing on her experience, Cindy knew firsthand that it is not possible to learn a new language, find employment, and adjust to a very different culture in a short period of time. This is how Lighthouse Charities was born.
“CCCU has partnered with Lighthouse Charities for several years now,” said Matt Kershaw, President and CEO of Clark County Credit Union. “With Nevada welcoming more than two thousand refugees each year, the credit union has been proud to support an organization that provides such a positive impact to our local community.”
AHEAD grants are awarded annually and delivered through the FHLBank San Francisco member financial institutions to local community organizations for projects and programs that benefit lower-income and underserved communities. Since the program’s inception in 2004, FHLBank San Francisco has awarded more than $25 million in AHEAD grants to over 800 economic development projects in Arizona, California, and Nevada. In 2023, the Bank’s board of directors allocated $4 million to the AHEAD program, more than doubling the funding in prior years, and awarded grants to 75 projects. CCCU applied for the grant in partnership with Lighthouse Charities and was awarded $25,000 after a competitive selection process. This will be the second year that CCCU has participated in the program.
“Each year we are inspired by the wide range of impactful programs that are brought to us by our member institutions through the AHEAD grant program,” said Eric Cicourel, senior vice president and community investment officer at FHLBank San Francisco. “We were particularly encouraged by the large number of unique members who participated in this cycle, including Clark County Credit Union. These financial institutions are pillars in their communities and have an intimate understanding of the needs of the communities they serve. We are proud to partner with our members to extend a lifeline to so many compelling and deserving organizations.”
For those interested in applying for the AHEAD Program in 2024, please contact Clark County Credit Union or visit the FHLB San Francisco website to learn more.
About Clark County Credit Union
Founded in 1951, CCCU is a not-for-profit financial institution serving over 52,000 members who are municipal employees (Clark County, City of Henderson, City of Las Vegas, and City of North Las Vegas), medical professionals, members of Nevada Public Radio (KNPR) and numerous select employer groups. CCCU has assets of $1.1 billion and six branches throughout Southern Nevada. More information about CCCU can be found online at www.ccculv.org.
About Lighthouse Charities
Since its inception over seven years ago, Lighthouse Charities has transformed the lives of thousands of refugee families. Annually, Lighthouse Charities provides core services to more than 300 refugees, asylum seekers and legal immigrants. Additionally, Lighthouse provides supplementary nutrition to 8,000 food-insecure Nevadans and refugees through regular food distributions through its Pantry Program. The organization receives support from more than 900 volunteers each year.
About the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco
The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is a member-driven cooperative helping local lenders in Arizona, California, and Nevada build strong communities, create opportunity, and change lives for the better. The tools and resources we provide to our member financial institutions — commercial banks, credit unions, industrial loan companies, savings institutions, insurance companies, and community development financial institutions — promote homeownership and expand access to quality housing and boost economic development. Together with our members and other partners, we are making the communities we serve more vibrant, equitable, and resilient.
