Self-Help Shares

Jayme Williams and her husband Darris have come a long way to their growing childcare center in Rutherfordton, North Carolina. While their business — Successful Start Child Development Center — is now in high demand, reaching this point has taken a lot of perseverance, dedication, and a willingness to take chances. 

“It wasn’t until the last couple of years that I felt like I was capable of it. It took a lot of courage.” While the idea of starting a business from scratch was daunting, Jayme knew she had not only the necessary knowledge and skills from her decades of childcare experience, but also a supportive partner in her husband Darris. “When we saw an opportunity, we went for it,” she says. Read more about their path to business ownership.

At Self-Help, we appreciate that the food we all eat is the product of a whole system, not just the restaurant or supermarket where we buy it. We also believe that everyone should have access to fresh, high-quality food. Read about how we're working to support sustainable and healthy food systems from farm to fork through food systems lending, policy and advocacy efforts, and strong partnerships. 

We're thrilled to announce Self-Help's 2022 Scholarship winners! Each year, branches across the country award a $1,000 scholarship to a local student who not only demonstrates strong academics but also shows a commitment to community service and volunteerism. Check out this year's winners.

Markita and her husband Nique, both originally from Zebulon, NC, knew they needed more space but were nervous to take the first step toward buying their own home. With five growing children, they could see that renting wouldn't be able to meet their needs much longer. Read about their journey to homeownership.

At Self-Help, we’ve spent the last 42 years striving to be a force for economic and social justice in the communities we serve. Learn how we’re working to reverse the economic disparities that keep Black and Latino families from reaching the same levels of prosperity as others.

With National Homeownership Month now upon us, there's no time like the present to start thinking about how you and your family can build your wealth through your first home purchase. 

For many people, diving into the home lending process can be intimidating. That's why our financial coaches are here to guide you, and our home loan officers will work closely with you throughout the process. Here are our home loan officers' answers to some of the most common questions and misconceptions about buying your first home.

We all know that building savings is one of the keys to financial stability, but remembering to put part of each paycheck into a savings account can feel like a chore.  Automatic savings plans are a great way to build strong savings habits without the extra effort. 

As City Executive of Self-Help Credit Union’s new Harps Mill Road branch in Raleigh, Kimberly Williams’ favorite part of her job is connecting with people in her community and working with them to meet their financial needs. Read more about how she and her colleagues are working to make an impact in the capital. 

Amanda Spain is used to advocating for herself. A nonprofit professional based in Greensboro, Amanda came to Self-Help after a lengthy search for a financial institution that would help her increase her mobility and independence with affordable financing for a wheelchair-accessible vehicle. We partnered with Amanda and the NC Assistive Technology Program on an Assistive Technology (AT) loan to finance a vehicle that fit her needs. 

Trying to fight climate change as an individual can be daunting. Actions like recycling and composting are helpful, but they often feel like a drop in the ocean. However, by choosing to partner with a financial institution committed to investing in a more sustainable planet, you can significantly amplify your impact.