PBS series featuring El Paso family & Raiz FCU wins prestigious Telly award
EL PASO, TX (June 12, 2023) — Opportunity Knock$, the groundbreaking reality television series broadcast by PBS stations nationally and locally on KCOS-TV Channel 13 and Channel 12 (cable), has been honored with the prestigious Silver Telly Award for Best Reality Television Program in the 44th Annual Telly Awards.
The Telly Awards, renowned as one of the most esteemed awards programs in television, recognizes excellence in media. Opportunity Knock$ stood out among the fierce competition, captivating audiences with its compelling storytelling and transformative content.
“We are thrilled and honored to be featured in this Silver Telly Award winning television series,” shared Max Villaronga, President/CEO of Raiz Federal Credit Union. “This recognition is a testament to the inspiring services our team provides to change lives every day.”
Opportunity Knock$ offers a fresh and innovative approach to reality television, focusing on empowering individuals to pursue their dreams and showcasing how viewers can join them on their remarkable journeys. The program’s companion tool, The Opportunity Finder, connects viewers with local nonprofits like the United Way along with Community Development Certified Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and not-for-profit credit unions to replicate the success of the families in the series.
Local artist and single mother of six, Patricia Reyes, achieved their dream of receiving the financial education she never had and was given the opportunity to showcase original art pieces in her very first art show hosted by Raiz Federal Credit Union. In the series, Patricia deals with not having a secure income due to the pandemic, recovery from a fracture, and having to shut down her art classes.
Directed by veteran reality television producer Brian Spoor who executive produced the series with creator Jamie Strayer and Jenn George Hunter, Opportunity Knock$ features renowned financial experts Jean Chatzky, Louis Barajas, and Patrice Washington along with Rick Pustejovsky, Assistant Vice President of Real Estate and Business Lending from Raiz Federal Credit Union.
“A national search of remarkable nonprofits and not-for-profit credit unions led us to select Raiz Federal Credit Union to appear in the series,” said Strayer. “It was inspiring to see the impact Raiz is making in El Paso and to share that with a national audience.”
The Silver Telly Award adds to Opportunity Knock$’ growing list of accolades, cementing its position as a trailblazer in the reality television genre. The program is praised by the National Financial Counseling Association of America and called the “Ted Lasso of Reality Television” on Rotten Tomatoes where it holds a 100% audience score.
For more information about Opportunity Knock$ and to watch the award-winning series, visit the official website at www.opportunityknocks.net or PBS. Assets available: Media Kit & Vimeo
About Raiz Federal Credit Union
At Raiz (pronounced as "rise" in English and "rah-EES" in Spanish), our members and strong, vibrant community inspire us daily. We share a passion for knowledge and the pursuit of growth, grounded in our heritage as El Paso Area Teachers Federal Credit Union (TFCU). Today, we guide members from many professions to focus on their goals and help them get here. We're proud of our roots in El Paso (since 1936) as we envision a bold path forward, leading the way with passion. We are over 70,000 members strong and provide a full range of high-quality financial services at the great rates and low costs you can expect from a first-class credit union. Join us and experience the difference that comes from working with people who care.
The meaning behind our name:
Spanish for root, our new identity grows from our heritage in the community. Grounded in the roots of our beginning with teachers, sharing a passion for knowledge and pursuit of growth. We inspire our members and employees to feel connected to our future potential together. We are rising and inviting people to move forward with us. As we look out to the light over the Franklin Mountains rising from El Paso, we look up and ahead to an even brighter tomorrow.
