Self-Help Shares

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.

 Affordable housing becomes much less affordable if the house comes with high energy costs. Self-Help recently completed renovations on four houses in eastern North Carolina, and has more under renovation now, all with a focus on energy efficiency.  

Toiya Hancock, the sole proprietor of Triad Education Development LLC, opened her educational service during a national recession and persisted through a global pandemic. Through it all, she has provided services for about 450 young students in Greensboro, NC and surrounding cities. Self-Help is honored to be her lending partner and share her story. 

James Sansom works at Self-Help to advance lending to faith-based institutions. "We lend to all faiths. It may be a church. It could be a synagogue. It could be a temple. It just depends on the market, the mission fit and the opportunity. We take a lot of pride in trying to find a way to make the loan versus trying to find reasons not to make the loan. I think that’s a real difference." 

During Black History Month and all year round, we encourage members and friends to support Black-owned enterprises. When you have a need for a product or service, do a Google search for relevant Black-owned businesses or browse one of the directories included in this post.