Fletcher Word
The Truth Editor
The Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union, as it approaches its 30th anniversary of service to the Toledo community and its 21st annual African American Festival and Parade, held a press conference to announce the first group of individuals who have benefited from the financial institution’s Building Better Futures Matched Savings Initiative and also to release details of the 21st annual African American Festival.
“This is a special day,” said TUFCU’s LaToya Morgan, during a press conference on Wednesday, July 8. “We are here to celebrate the heart of our mission – helping people build better futures.”
Thirty individuals participated in the Match Savings Program in order to receive matching funds to achieve their homeownership goals, to expand or improve their businesses or, for the youngsters, to put aside money for the future.
This initial group saved a total of $17,000 and the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union has set aside $40,000 to match the savings through grants received from Inclusiv Build and Save Matched Savings program.
Inclusiv is a national network of more than 500 credit unions whose goal is to help low-to-moderate-income families and communities achieve financial independence. The Build and Save Matched Savings initiative provides technical assistance and subgrants to help its member credit unions strengthen existing or launch new matched savings programs.
The recipients also attended workshops in financial counseling and wellness – workshops that are open to all, by the way. The next workshops will start on September 30.
This year’s African American Festival, which was created by and has been sustained by CEO Suzette Cowell and the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union over the years, will consist of a Prayer in the Parking Lot on July 13 at the TUFCU’s Monroe Street location; a Prayer Breakfast on July 17 at the Indiana Avenue Missionary Baptist Church; a Community Day on July 17 at the Monroe Street location; a Parade on July 18 stating at the Dorr Street branch and the Music Festival on July 18 at the Huntington Center.