Self-Help Shares

April is Earth Month and the 22nd is Earth Day, and we are celebrating by sharing sustainable home improvements that can add value to your home while saving you money. 

While many people do home renovations to correct structural issues, improve the layout, or make the design more appealing, it can be even more worthwhile to think about changes that you can make to increase your home’s value while making your home more comfortable and saving you money long-term. 

Energy-efficient home upgrades are more than a trend – they're smart investments that benefit your wallet, boost your home’s value, and contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment. In this blog post, we will explore eight different home upgrades at different price points that each improve your home’s value and save you money. As a bonus, some will even make life easier.  

Lower Valley Credit Union was founded in 1958 in the basement of St. Josephs Catholic Church in Lower Yakima Valley of Washington state to support underserved farm, labor, and seasonal employees. They started operations by collecting deposits out of a shoebox, and record-keeping responsibilities rotated among the founding members.  

In this video, “Go Out and Do More,” you’ll learn about the legacy of LVCU and hear from Cus Arteaga, LVCU Board Member; Suzy Fonseca, Regional President of Self-Help FCU; Erika Aranda, Regional Manager of Self-Help FCU; Brezzi Campos, Member of Self-Help FCU; and Linda & Ed Bordwell, Members of Self-Help FCU. They share about the dedication LVCU and Self-Help have shown to their community as well as the impact and importance of the credit union for its members. 

Every year, each Self-Help branch offers a $1,000 community scholarship to a recipient who has committed to improving their lives and their communities by furthering their education. In honor of our 2025 applications being open (apply by March 31!), we are highlighting some of last year’s incredible winners. 

According to the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the global economy in 2025 “is a world marked by significant uncertainty” due to changes in US trade policy, the challenging geopolitical backdrop, and rising government bond yields.  

It’s important that we do what we can to prepare ahead of time for any potential changes that can affect our financial security during these times of turmoil, particularly if you are part of a group that may be facing increased uncertainty. 

In this blog post, we will provide suggestions and advice for anyone looking to prepare for a loss of income, protect themselves from rising scams, and guard access to their accounts in the event that they suddenly need to leave the country. 

It is Black History Month, and this year’s theme is "African Americans and Labor,” which highlights the ways Black people have influenced labor movements and shaped the workforce in the U.S.  

Labor, economics, and the financial health of communities are all intrinsically linked with one another. At Self-Help, we believe in ownership and economic opportunity for all, and labor rights are a key part of making that a reality. That is why we are honored to recognize Black History Month, the history and influence of Black labor, and how that has shaped and empowered diverse communities across the country.  

In this blog post, we will be discussing the history of Black workers in labor movements, the role of HBCUs in Black labor, and the future of Black wealth creation and economic empowerment. 

This Monday is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and we are honored to celebrate this civil rights activist whose work is integral to Self-Help's mission of economic justice.  

Dr. King is known for his legacy as one of the most prominent leaders of the civil rights movement during his time. As part of his teachings and philosophies, he often espoused ideas of economic justice as central to achieving true equality. 

In this blog post, we will discuss Dr. King’s vision for economic justice, how CDFIs like Self-Help are focused on achieving this vision, and steps we can all take to work toward true equality. 

^{Valor Academy Elementary School principal May Oey checks in with student Nahum during a social-emotional learning activity.}

We at Self-Help believe in economic opportunity for all, and a huge part of creating equal access to opportunity starts way before you sign up for your first bank account – it starts with access to education and schools that work to make a difference in young kids’ lives.

One such school is Valor Academy Elementary School (VAES), part of the Bright Star Schools family in North Hills, California. In this blog post, we are excited to share about VAES’ impact on their community and the story of their expansion to provide better educational access for students in their community. 

Self-Help is committed to breaking down barriers that prevent underserved communities from accessing homeownership, which serves as a powerful tool for building generational wealth. It is in honor of this mission that we are grateful to participate in the Reclaiming Chicago Communities initiative, which is breathing new life into Chicago neighborhoods impacted by disinvestment.