On a hot day in July, about 70 members, partners and friends gathered for the grand opening of Self-Help Credit Union’s new branch in Charlotte, North Carolina. The event included cool refreshments, official remarks and, of course, a festive ribbon-cutting.

Self-Help CU staff pose in front of the new Charlotte location at 1065 Providence Road.

A special guest at the event was Self-Help CU member Tawanna Butler Armstrong. For years, Ms. Armstrong, who is a disabled veteran and single mother, didn’t believe she could become a homeowner. Now, after working with Self-Help CU's Donnetta Collier, Ms. Armstrong is scheduled to close on a three-bedroom house in Grier Heights.

Left to right: Self-Help CU member Tawanna Butler Armstrong and Donnetta Collier, Self-Help CU Real Estate Development Manager

Ms. Armstrong’s mortgage was made possible by down payment programs from the NC Housing Finance Agency, the City of Charlotte and Wells Fargo Neighborhood Lift. She has attended over 12 hours of pre-homeownership counseling and is very excited to move in.  In her words:  “I’ve visited the house over a 100 times!”

At the Grand Opening, there was plenty of gratitude to go around. It was a day to celebrate Self-Help’s CU longstanding commitment to families seeking greater economic opportunity in the Charlotte area. Thanks to everyone who came out and made us feel so welcome!

We are especially grateful to Myers Park Baptist Church for depositing $100,000 in support of Self-Help’s mission. Left to Right: W. Benjamin Boswell, Senior Minister; Claudie Johnson, Self-Help CU Charlotte City Executive; Donnetta Collier, Self-Help CU Real Estate Develop Manager; Randy Chambers, Self-Help CU President; Mia M. McClain, Associate Minister of Faith Formation and Outreach.