In Our Community
An important part of credit unions’ philosophy and culture is to share their resources with the community. As a result, credit unions initiate or join with others to support community outreach programs in their respective neighborhoods throughout the state.
Credit Unions Help Underserved Communities
Credit unions help provide services to low-income areas, often where no other financial institutions exist. This is important in a state like New Mexico where there are many small communities many miles from major cities.
The Credit Union Association of New Mexico and affiliated credit unions support a variety of projects to enhance low income community programs, to promote consumer financial independence and to improve financial literacy.
Credit unions throughout New Mexico yearly collect thousands of dollars and donations of canned and nonperishable food for Roadrunner Food Bank and other food pantries that help residents in need throughout the year. The collection is a way credit unions practice their mission of “people helping people.”
Partnering With UNM Children’s Hospital
Credit unions throughout the state are also actively involved with numerous local and national charitable organizations. One of the more significant initiatives associated with New Mexico credit unions is the Silver Star Gala that benefits UNM Children’s Hospital. The state’s 53 credit unions have joined together in a pledge to help fund the construction of the a new pediatric emergency wing of the hospital and proceeds from the annual Gala go toward this five-year pledge. Individual credit unions also raise funds in other ways, such as by offering rebates on credit and debit card transactions and selling cookbooks and stuffed animals.
For more on the Children’s Hospital expansion project, go to http://hospitals.unm.edu/BBRPavilion/Index.shtml.
Dora Maxwell Award (The social responsibility recognition program for credit unions )
Credit unions participate in a wide variety of community outreach activities. They might include fund-raising for charity, making classroom presentations, sponsoring community activities, or loaning employees for a few hours a week to work in hospitals, retirement homes or shelters. Credit unions make a difference in your community. CUANM and credit union leagues and associations throughout the country honor these achievements through the Dora Maxwell award program.
Louise Herring Award (For philosophy in action)
Credit unions do an extraordinary job of incorporating a “people helping people” philosophy into day-to-day operations that sets them apart form other financial service providers. The Louise Herring Award Program for Philosophy in Action recognizes these credit unions for a job well done.
Eligible activities include provisions for the small saver or borrower; programs for youth, seniors or other groups that are often economically disadvantaged; programs that do an extraordinary job of encouraging thrift and provide a source of unbiased money management and consumer information; evidence of an exceptional degree of service.
Alphonse Desjardins Award
The Desjardins Award is named in honor of Alphonse Desjardins, the founder of the North American credit union movement. It considers all activities supporting the personal finance education of young members and nonmembers, including, but not limited to, face-to-face teaching, publicity, lobbying for curriculum requirements and teacher and volunteer training.
Providing Educational Opportunities in the Classroom
Credit unions around the state work to improve the nation’s well-being by teaching the next generation of adults how to achieve financial security by managing money and credit wisely throughout the year. During International Credit Union Week in October and National Credit Union Youth Week in April, credit union volunteers go into classrooms throughout New Mexico to teach the money managers of the future about wise spending and saving habits.
Promoting Global Democracy
Credit unions are making an impact on the international level as well. Fifteen percent of every dues dollar paid by credit unions to their national association is devoted to international credit union development. This effort has already resulted in credit unions serving more than 112 million members in 93 nations across the globe. By bringing the benefits of alternative financial services to millions of people around the world, credit unions are helping international communities learn to attain self-sufficiency and economic freedom. Discover the work of the World Council of Credit Unions.
The Credit Union Association of New Mexico signed an international partnership agreement with Alianza, a Credit Union trade association in Mexico, to work toward promoting mutual growth and an exchange of knowledge. The cooperative alliance is a way credit unions practice their mission of “people helping people.”
Offering Scholarships
The New Mexico Credit Union Education Foundation offers and provides college scholarships to New Mexico students attending colleges, universities and technical-vocational schools throughout the state.