United Credit Union Awards $20,000 COVID-19 Relief Grant to Chicago Teachers Union Foundation and Grow Your Own Illinois Through Partnership with Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
From left to right: Carmen Curet, Chicago Teachers Union Foundation Executive Director; Carolyn Johnson, United Credit Union Board Member; Mario Aguirre, United Credit Union President/CEO
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2020
Media Contact: Mayra Avila
Marketing/Business Development Manager
United Credit Union
773-843-8482
mavila@unitedcreditunion.com
Chicago, May 18, 2020 — During these unprecedented times, the credit union philosophy and commitment to “People Helping People” is now more important than ever. United Credit Union, in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago), are proud to award a $20,000 grant that will be equally split between the Chicago Teachers Union Foundation and Grow Your Own Chicago in support of their mission and to help them during the COVID-19 pandemic.
These grants were made possible by the COVID-19 Relief Program established by the FHLBank Chicago to assist their member institutions to respond to the needs of non-profit organizations and small business in the communities they serve.
“We are absolutely delighted with the great working relationship that United Credit Union has maintained with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago. Through our partnership, we are able to provide a $10,000 grant to two great organizations that provide tools, resources and support services to Chicago area schools and teachers,” said Mario Aguirre, President/CEO of United Credit Union.
The Chicago Teachers Union Foundation will utilize the money to support educators with teaching materials needed for their home classrooms. “This is beyond kind,” said Carmen Curet, Executive Director of the Chicago Teachers Union Foundation. “The grant will allow us to purchase handheld blackboards and chalk for teachers to use during their remote learning sessions.”
Promoting organizations that are passionate and dedicated to improving communities is important to United Credit Union. The $10,000 grant awarded to Grow Your Own Chicago will help continue their mission to create a statewide pipeline of teachers in hard to staff schools and positions as well as increase the racial and economic diversity of classroom teachers. A mission that United Credit Union supports. “It’s heartening that the Federal Home Loan Bank and United Credit Union, which are both economic pillars in Chicago, recognize the importance of diverse public school teachers with ties to their local communities, and the work Grow Your Own is also doing for our great city of Chicago,” said Liza Pappas, Executive Director of Grow Your Own.
From left to right: Liza Pappas, Grow Your Own Chicago Executive Director; Carolyn Johnson, United Credit Union Board Member; Mario Aguirre, United Credit Union President/CEO
About United Credit Union
Founded in 1931 by a group of Chicago Teachers, United Credit Union is a non-for-profit financial cooperative serving more than 19,000 members with $245 million in assets. Any individual who lives, works or worships in Cook County, IL is eligible to become a member. United Credit Union offers checking, Savings, personal loans, credit cards mortgage loans, auto loans, and a wide range of other financial services. Our mission is to become your “Financial Partner for Life” by providing a full range of competitive financial products and services in an environment of extraordinary service. For more information, visit www.unitedcreditunion.com.
About Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
The mission of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago is to partner with our member institutions in Illinois and Wisconsin to provide them competitively priced funding, a reasonable return on their investment in the Bank, and support for community investment activities. FHLBank Chicago is one of 11 Federal Home Loan Banks chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932 to promote homeownership. Our members include banks, thrifts, credit unions, insurance companies, and community development financial institutions throughout our district. To learn more about FHLBank Chicago and its full range of products and programs, visit fhlbc.com or follow us on Twitter @FHLBC.
About Chicago Teachers Union Foundation
The Chicago Teachers Union Foundation (CTUF) is the philanthropic arm of the Chicago Teachers Union whose mission is to develop networks that advance education for students, advocate for teachers, and resource under-served communities through student scholarships, professional development, and grant-making.
About Grow Your Own Illinois
Grow Your Own Illinois endeavors to create a statewide pipeline of teachers in hard to staff schools and positions as well as to increase the racial and economic diversity of classroom teachers.