What:            Self-Help Credit Union (self-help.org) unveils its brand new Apopka branch located at 667 W. Orange Blossom Trail with a host of grand opening festivities - including giveaways and refreshments on Friday, February 22, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Where:           667 W Orange Blossom Trail, Apopka, FL 32712

When:            Friday, February 22, 2019 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST

February 11, 2019 — Self-Help CU (Self-Help) members in Apopka, FL have a brand new branch to call home. They even got to choose the new building design.

“We wanted our members to have a say in the look and feel of the branch, be part of the process and proud of the results,” explains Adelcio Lugo, Self-Help regional director. “Credit unions belong to their members and we hope this unveiling will create excitement and set bright expectations for the future.”

“Members were super excited about the project,” states Geannina Hiraldo, Self-Help Credit Union Apopka branch manager. “They really took ownership of the effort and were thrilled about the prospect of better access and new services – including a drive-through ATM. One member even stopped by every day to see the building’s progress.”

There were three options to choose from. Voting took two months.  The final design was developed by Dunn and Dalton Architects, a North Carolina based firm known for “functional, aesthetically pleasing, and cost-effective design solutions,” as well as for being “flexible in their approach to design.”

Self-Help Credit Union, Apopka, formerly Community Trust Federal Credit Union, has a long history in Central Florida. The credit union began serving the Apopka community on South Park Avenue in 1986. It was started as a way to help seasonal and migrant farm workers by four determined nuns from the order of Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur based in Orlando. The miracles they began continue to this day.  A video documenting its history will also premiere at the event.

“The new Apopka branch marks a new chapter in transformative community work for Self-Help in Central Florida and continues the Community Trust’s legacy of deep local impact,” Hiraldo continues. “Our partnership allows us to expand services to meet the needs of our members.”

Self-Help Credit Union is part of the Center for Community Self-Help (Self-Help), a leading national community development financial institution headquartered in Durham, NC. Since 1980, Self-Help has provided over $7 billion in financing to 150,000 families, individuals and businesses. It helps drive economic development and strengthen communities by providing responsible financial services; lending to individuals, small businesses and nonprofits; developing real estate; and promoting fair financial practices across the nation. Through its credit union network, Self-Help serves 150,000 people in California, Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

More information about Self-Help Credit Union can be found at self-help.org.

Jenny Shields, Director of Media Relations, Center for Community Self-Help  | Phone: 919.794.6798 | Cell: 919.695.2037 | Email: Jenny.Shields@self-help.org