Self-Help Shares

This week we’re sharing a blog post from a new website for the CDFI Racial Equity Collaborative on Education. In “Pandemic Lessons on Equitable Lending in Education,” Self-Help’s Brittany Bennett Weston discusses how some public charter schools quickly adapted to meet student and community needs during the pandemic. Citing national data and her lending and personal experience, Brittany discusses the importance of “creating systems that support the whole person within the broader social context.”

On Monday, March 15, 2021, Jax Metro, a Division of Self-Help Credit Union, opened our newest branch in Jacksonville, Florida. Even while taking COVID precautions, we had a fantastic opening with great community support! Here you can see photos and take a video tour of the beautiful new building.

    

Last year the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) allocated $800 billion in relief to small businesses and nonprofits affected by COVID and funded over five million loans. This program was unprecedented in scope, but flawed. It quickly became apparent that many small businesses that most needed relief were not well served by eligibility requirements that favored small but wealthier enterprises. Recently, thanks to strong advocacy by our partners and allies, the outlook for truly small businesses is better.

It was an eventful week here: We released a new video preserving the history of a credit union started by Black educators in Charlotte, NC during Jim Crow. The Center for Responsible Lending issued a report comparing typical payday interest rates in each state. And Self-Help’s own John Herrera was featured in the Charlotte Observer, highlighting how EMTs can help meet the urgent need for COVID vaccinations. 

Pictured: The Grigsby house in Charlotte, NC, where a major Black-owned credit union started in the basement to serve local Black educators.

In honor of Black History Month, we offer a few resources to learn more about Black history and honor Black Americans. Martin Eakes, our CEO, reminds us that Black History includes countless achievements in spite of systemic economic and social injustices--see his brief statement in this post.

Our Senior Financial Coach, Donnetta Collier offers a few tips for managing taxes and possibly reducing the amount owed to help preserve more wealth for your future. Also, if you're getting a tax refund, be sure to see Donnetta's "1/3 Rule."

It’s that time of year for dreaming and setting goals. As a Senior Financial Coach for Self-Help Credit Union, I know that many people are struggling now. Managing your financial life takes time and careful planning—but it is so worth doing. If you are fortunate enough to be employed, now is the time to reduce financial stress and move toward financial freedom. Here are seven of my favorite financial wellness tips, plus bonus tips for finding ways to save.

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Each year we eagerly look forward to seeing which of our blog posts struck the biggest chords with our readers. This year, not surprisingly, several of the top posts relate to COVID relief and resources. You were interested in protecting your finances and learning tips for buying a home during this uncertain time. Many popular posts also focused on hope for a better future.

Self-Help celebrates its 40th anniversary with a new timeline of milestones, including the New Bern, NC  bakery that raised $77 for Self-Help in 1981. At our recent annual meeting we heard from owners of another small bakery in Columbia, South Carolina, who kept their business going with a Paycheck Protection Program relief loan. 

In this year's annual meeting, we recognized the hardships that our members and communities are facing as the COVID pandemic continues. We celebrated the COVID financial relief that Self-Help was able to provide to small businesses and nonprofits. We lifted up the possibilities for collaboration even during a time of deep division. And we celebrated 40 years of service with partners and friends.