Self-Help Credit Union Community Celebration and Ribbon-Cutting, November 8

Credit Union Builds on Strong Legacy of Working for Rural Families, Farmworkers, Immigrants and Underserved Communities of Color

WHAT: Self-Help Credit Union Community Celebration and Ribbon-Cutting

WHEN: November 8, 2023, from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

WHERE: 1104 S. Woodland Blvd, DeLand, FL 32720

WHO:                  Expected Speakers include:

• The Honorable Mayor Chris Cloudman, City of DeLand, Florida
• Kevin Winchel, Director of Community Engagement, Stetson University
• Terrell DeJarnett, Self-Help Central Florida Regional Vice-President                         

WHY: Mark your calendars for this community event that celebrates the official ribbon cutting for Self-Help Credit Union, located at 1104 S. Woodland Blvd in DeLand. Enjoy free refreshments, giveaways and more to recognize ways Self-Help is invested in our local community's growth. The event is free and open to the public.

It also marks the 75th anniversary of the credit union movement across the country, which is led by a purpose to positively impact the lives of our members, local businesses, and communities we serve.  

With a mission of ownership and opportunity for all, Self-Help has learned that access to responsible savings, loans, and other fair, affordable products are key to financial security and improved opportunity for families who have often faced systemic barriers to building wealth and achieving economic inclusion. To accomplish this in DeLand, Self-Help merged with Community Trust Federal CU, which got its start in the early 1980s by a group of determined nuns helped bring better working conditions, health, and economic opportunity to a poor farming community.

"What sets our credit union apart? We see people as members, not numbers,” states Terrell DeJarnett, Self-Help Central Florida Regional Vice-President.  "We're invested in DeLand's growth, and we partner with the local community to empower our members and help them find fair and affordable financial solutions that meet their needs.”  

“Our members are our mission," DeJarnett adds. “We offer a safe and an affordable way to save for the future.”

“Many people may not understand what Self-Help means to Central Florida,” says one member. “I have lived in DeLand all my life and I know what Self-Help has done for the community and how it helped me personally.”

“They help people,” explains Juan Rodriguez, who joined Self-Help through its merger with Community Trust. “No matter if you speak Spanish or English, the credit union helps people.”

Self-Help is part of a family of nonprofit organizations working to create and protect ownership and economic opportunity for all. Since 1980, Self-Help has grown to include two credit unions, a loan fund, and a research and policy group.