Greylock to open a community empowerment center at newly remodeled Kellogg street office
PITTSFIELD, MA (October 11, 2019) — Congressman Richard E. Neal (MA-01), Mayor Linda M. Tyer and two officials from the US Treasury Department, Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Fund Director Jodie Harris and New Markets Tax Credit Program Manager Christopher Allison, toured Greylock Federal Credit Union’s new Community Empowerment Center (CEC) last Wednesday. The visit was to show the officials how Greylock, the only CDFI certified credit union in western Massachusetts, is working to make a difference in the community through financial inclusion and access.
“The CEC will be a great asset to the greater Pittsfield region,” said Congressman Neal. “Last week I was able to hear directly from grateful community members who have already reaped the benefits from this important financial literacy program. As a longtime supporter of the U.S. Treasury Department’s Community Development Financial Institution Fund, seeing it here in action in Pittsfield is remarkable.”
By creating the CEC, Greylock is deepening its commitment to provide access to financial services and tools for those in the community who may be under-served or unbanked.
The CEC is part of Greylock’s multi-million dollar remodel of its original branch at 75 Kellogg Street and is expected in the month of October.
“The CEC will be a space where anyone in our community can access the financial tools and resources they need to thrive and grow,” says Greylock President/CEO John Bissell. “When we realized our coaching and education activities were outgrowing their spaces, it made perfect sense to create a place where people can gather to learn and grow together. That’s who we are, people helping people.”
“As our city continues to advance and flourish, it is vital that our community members have access to resources and services that support their dreams and aspirations,” said Mayor Tyer. “I am thrilled to know that Greylock Federal Credit Union’s new Community Empowerment Center will help to support residents’ personal and financial growth through sound financial literacy education and coaching opportunities.”
Pittsfield resident Nancy Gomez shared her story with the honored guests. Born in Medellin, Colombia, Gomez immigrated to the Berkshires with her family in September of 2017. Since the US banking and credit reporting systems are unique and challenging to navigate, Gomez and her husband had no access to credit or financial services when they first arrived. “Everything is done in cash in Colombia,” said Gomez. “We had never written a check before coming to the United States.”
She reached out to community organizations to help her identify resources and to learn more about her new hometown. That is when she met Gloria Escobar, a community development specialist at Greylock, who was able to guide the family to a path of financial inclusion. Through financial coaching, specialized credit building products, and a lot of hard work and determination by the Gomez family, they now own their own home.
“One of my family’s biggest dreams was always to buy our own house,” Gomez explained to the officials. “Now, thanks to Greylock, that is a reality. We have been living in our own house for more than five months.” Gomez is so grateful for the community support she received when she moved to Pittsfield that she now volunteers to help others find support and guidance.
“It is an honor to be a part of the Gomez family story,” continued Bissell. “This is exactly why Greylock has committed to building the CEC. Everyone should have access to the keys to enrich their lives.”
Congressman Neal sharing a laugh with Cindy Shogry-Raimer, Nancy Gomez and Gloria Escobar during a tour of Greylock’s new Community Empowerment Center.
Mayor Tyer explains the history of the Morning side neighborhood and outlines the city’s goals for community, private and government partnerships working together.
About Greylock Federal Credit Union
Greylock Federal Credit Union’s vision is to be the face of financial equity and inclusion in the communities we serve by offering personal and business accounts; mobile, online, and phone access to your finances; free financial education for the community as a whole; unique lending products to suit the specific needs of our Members; investment services through Greylock Investment Group; and insurance products through Greylock Insurance Agency.
Greylock is wholly owned by its Members and offers full-service branches in Pittsfield, Great Barrington, Lee, Adams, North Adams, Williamstown, Lanesborough, and Lenox, Mass., and Greenport/Hudson, N.Y. Greylock has a Low-Income Designation (LID) from the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and certification by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund allowing the Credit Union to offer expanded services to low- and moderate-income families. More information is available at www.greylock.org. Equal Housing Lender. Insured by NCUA.
Greylock’s family of businesses includes:
- Greylock Insurance Agency, with six locations in Berkshire County and one in Westfield, MA, handles commercial and personal lines including auto, homeowner’s, life, disability, long-term care insurance, all forms of bonding, and 24/7 claims service.
- Greylock Investment Group offers access to a full array of services including financial planning, retirement planning, investment management, mutual funds, annuities and portfolio management.
- Greylock Technology Group provides programming and IT consulting for financial institutions.
