Folsom, Calif. – (Jan. 31, 2023) – SAFE Credit Union’s eight community sustainability grants awarded in 2022 went to organizations making a difference in the lives of thousands of people living in the Sacramento area.
The grants totaling $95,000 impact more than 5,800 adults and children experiencing hunger and homelessness as well as those in need of educational and job-training opportunities, youths’ foster care and disability support, improved nutrition, mental health services and housing.
“The areas of support SAFE provided assistance to are intended to reach people where they are, and when they need support the most,” says SAFE Credit Union Community Impact Manager Amanda Merz.
SAFE is also launching its 2023 grant program with its first cycle focused on supporting programs that provide career training for veterans. Nonprofits with programs aligned with that goal are encouraged to apply by Friday, February 17, 2023.
More about SAFE’s 2022 Community Sustainability Grants:
- Alchemist Community Development Corporation – SAFE awarded $5,000 to Alchemist CDC’s Community Gardens project to help purchase a solar-powered generator and other supplies to expand its offerings in Sacramento’s River District and Oak Park. With the grant, Alchemist CDC will educate up to 200 families per year with healthy practices through gardening, education, and cooking lessons. With the new resources, Alchemist’s Neighborhood Empowerment Manager Joe Robustelli says, “We look forward to holding more workshops and demonstrations on how to prepare the fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables that have been grown in the gardens.” Read more.
SAFE's sustainability grant will support gardening and classes at the Oak Park Art Garden.
- Construction Industry Education Foundation (CIEF) – Voters in December selected the East Sacramento-based program to be one of two recipients of a $5,000 grant. CIEF introduces high school students and young adults to careers in the trades, engineering, and construction. The grant will go toward funding CIEF’s annual Design Build Competition that challenges more than 5,000 high school students to learn about all aspects of construction and build a structure testing their craftmanship, teamwork, and perseverance. Read more
- Cottage Housing – Voters in December also selected Cottage Housing to receive $5,000 in funding. The organization provides programs to help people out of homelessness through counseling, education, setting goals, and building resiliency. The grant will help launch two new classes, including an Independent Living Skills class, in its Skill Development Program introducing 50+ participants to financial literacy, job-seeking skills, parenting, nutrition and more. Read more
- Cyber Proud - SAFE awarded $20,000 to Sacramento-based Cyber Proud for funding to provide employee training mentoring for 14 veterans, from El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties, seeking careers in information technology. Veterans connected with their own assigned CDO, industry mentors and an instructional coach to evaluate their career objectives and skills before enrolling, at no cost, into Cyber Proud’s in CompTIA CertMaster Training in either A+ or Security+. Ten are set to complete the program in spring 2023 and Cyber Proud will continue to offer ongoing career counseling services, job training and career placement opportunities. “Our goal is to move individuals from lower-wage jobs to high-demand, high-wage careers,” says Cyber Proud Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Coleen Morehead. Read more.
- HOPE Counseling Center – SAFE awarded $20,000 to the HOPE (Healthy Outcomes for Personal Enrichment) Counseling Center to pay for mental health services for those with or recently diagnosed with substantial vision loss. Referred to by Sacramento’s Society for the Blind, up to 20 clients benefitted from weekly therapy sessions ranging from six to 13 weeks at the nonprofit’s Folsom, Midtown Sacramento, and Roseville clinics. The free appointments were the first of their kind provided by both organizations. “This is a new offering, and we are truly grateful to HOPE Counseling and to SAFE Credit Union for supporting this important work for people living with low vision and blindness,” Society for the Blind Executive Director Shari Roeseler said soon after the grant was awarded by SAFE. Read more.
- Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services – SAFE awarded $20,000 to provide food to students and families through the organization’s No Student Left Hungry program, providing up to 4,200 students a month who live with food insecurity attending seven Sacramento-area school districts and four colleges. The grant helps fund this year’s No Student Left Hungry Summer Food Box program. “When children experience hunger, they are more likely to get sick and are at higher risks of health conditions like anemia and asthma,” says Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services Director of Programs Karen Strach. Read more.
Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services food ready for distribution.
- Stanford Sierra Youth & Family Services – SAFE awarded $10,000 to help teens and kids in foster care adjust while transitioning to permanent homes. The mental health services have so far served 135 local youths throughout Sacramento, El Dorado, Placer and Yolo counties through the Pathways to Permanency and Destination Family programs. “This grant from SAFE Credit Union helps us meet their emotional needs during this process.” Heintz said. Read more.
Veterans attend Volunteers of America Veteran Employment Services fair.
SAFE annually awards grants in four phases focusing on its three pillars of philanthropy: healthcare, education, and active members of the military and veterans. For more information on SAFE Credit Union’s grants program, go to www.safecu.org/community/community-impact/funding. Grants awarded vary from $5,000 to $20,000 and are based on amounts requested by applicants to build new or support existing programs.
For media audio or video requests for stories about any of the grant recipients or for more information contact SAFE Credit Union Public Relations and Communications Specialist Robyn Eifertsen at (916) 809-2007 or [email protected].
About SAFE
SAFE Credit Union has made members an integral part of its vision since 1940. Over the years the credit union has kept the focus on what really matters, putting members first, a formula that has seen SAFE grow into a leading financial institution in Northern California with $4.5 billion in assets and about 247,000 members. SAFE crafts every cutting-edge product and sterling service with members’ needs foremost in mind. In addition to banking services conveniently available through online, chat, mobile, or phone options, SAFE offers in-person services for members and small businesses at service centers across the Greater Sacramento region. SAFE is a not-for-profit, state-chartered credit union with membership open to businesses and individuals living or working in Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Sutter, Butte, Nevada, Solano, San Joaquin, Contra Costa, Yuba, Amador, and Alameda counties. Insured by NCUA. www.safecu.org