Self-Help Shares

As we head into Memorial Day weekend, we remember those who have sacrificed their lives in service to our country. There will be countless traditional remembrances across the nation as people visit monuments and hold special events. Many will participate in the National Moment of Remembrance, an annual event that encourages Americans to pause for a moment of silence at 3:00 p.m. to honor the fallen.

On the South Side of Chicago, we have good news as Seaway, a division of Self-Help Federal Credit Union, reopens its renovated headquarters this Monday, May 17, with plenty of space for partners and community events.

When you meet Mr. Lee Curry, it makes you realize it’s not only how long you live—it’s how well you live. Mr. Curry, who is just a few months shy of 102 years old, has lived long. As a veteran, husband, father and superb gardener, he has also lived well. We are honored that he is a long-time member of Seaway, a division of Self-Help Federal Credit Union.

This week the Center for American Progress hosted a roundtable to present research and best practices in climate investment. Presenters included Sonrisa Cooper of the Greenlining Institute, Michela Zonta and Zoe Willingham representing CAP; and Melissa Malkin-Weber and David Beck from Self-Help. Among the key messages: The need to combat climate change is urgent. We have an opportunity to accelerate investments in clean energy—but along with the risks of environmental destruction there’s the risk of perpetuating economic and racial inequities.

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."