ROANOKE, Va.– Freedom First Credit Union has released a new Community Impact Report that highlights its accomplishments, innovative programs, and awards for 2014 and 2015. Freedom First said it is committed to serving a range of community and economic development goals through partnerships with local nonprofits, businesses, and governments.
“We are affecting real change in the community and improving the quality of life of families across the Roanoke and New River valleys,” said Dave Prosser, senior vice president of community development. “While many financial institutions measure their value in how much they keep, at Freedom First we measure our value in how me we give back and re-invest.”
According to the credit union, some of the programs discussed in the report include:
- The revitalization of Roanoke’s urban West End neighborhood, a collaboration and partnership among federal government, local government, private businesses, non-profits, religious organizations, and residents – led by the opening of Freedom First’s West End branch.
- An innovative loan program that enables students to afford training that leads to a tractor trailer CDL licensure, and then directly into jobs earning $30,000 to $40,000 per year. In two years, Freedom First has helped more than 70 students and issued nearly $290,000 in loans.
- A number of nationally recognized financial education programs, including Responsible Rides, an award-winning program that helps working families have access to affordable auto loans, as well as provides financial education and vehicle care and maintenance classes. In two years, Freedom First has helped 165 adults afford reliable transportation to be able to get to work; nearly 90% of those adults are female, single parents.
Freedom First said it makes a promise to each of its members that it is a financial institution “Where People Bank for Good.”
The report is available in CUToday.info’s The vault here.