Self-Help Shares


Hurricane Helene Resources

By Staff
  | Oct 03, 2024

3D Render of a Topographic Map of the Caribbean Sea with the clouds from September 25, 2024. Category 4 Major Hurricane Helene northeast of the Yucatán peninsula heading to the north.

As we continue to witness the destruction from Hurricane Helene, Self-Help is committed to supporting our members through this challenging time. We've compiled a list of resources and services to help you recover from the storm and prepare for any additional storms for the remainder of hurricane season.

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Learning from the Experts: Financial Tips for Latino & Hispanic Communities

By Staff
  | Sep 16, 2024

national hispanic heritage month on a purple background with hispanic imagery on the top and bottom margins of the image

September 15-October 15 is Latino/Hispanic Heritage Month, which is a time to honor the history, culture, and contributions of Latino/Hispanic American communities. September 15 was chosen as the start of this month-long celebration because it coincides with the Independence Day celebrations of five Latin American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua).

In honor of this month, Self-Help is focusing on how we can support economic opportunity for our Latino/Hispanic communities. For this blog post, we asked a handful of the incredible Latino/Hispanic experts at Self-Help: What is one unique financial challenge and/or opportunity that you have observed within the Latino/Hispanic community, and what advice would you offer to help navigate this?

We are excited to share their responses with you!

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Driving Down Costs: The Financial Benefits of Going Electric

By Staff
  | Sep 12, 2024

plug-in port of an electric vehicle that has a charger plugged in

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular, and we can understand why. They’re better for the environment and – we're told – better for our wallets. But with the higher starting purchase prices of many EVs, do they really end up saving you money?

In this blog post, we will discuss the current market of EVs, the pros and cons of choosing an electric vehicle for your next car, and how much you might be able to save.

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Gluten-free Dreams: CheSa's Journey from Celiac Diagnosis to Restaurant Owner

By Staff
  | Aug 28, 2024

CheSa standing behind the bar at her business: CheSa’s Bistro and Bar in Chicago, Illinois

CheSa is the owner of CheSa's Bistro and Bar in Chicago, IL. 

August is Black Business Month, and we are honored to be celebrating the accomplishments of all the incredible Black-owned businesses that have enriched our communities.

CheSa is one such business owner in Chicago, and her story of determination, creativity, and resilience is an incredible reminder of what it means to adapt in pursuit of a dream.

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The Role of Community Banks in Supporting Black-owned Businesses

By Staff
  | Aug 08, 2024

three different images of Black-owned businesses

Images of owners of businesses that Self-Help has worked with

Happy Black-owned Business Month! At Self-Help, we are honored to celebrate and support Black entrepreneurs.

In 2021, only 2.8% of businesses in the U.S. were Black-owned, even though Black people make up roughly 14% of the country’s population.1 This discrepancy is why it’s important to make conscious efforts to champion Black-owned businesses. At Self-Help, we believe that entrepreneurs of all backgrounds should have the opportunity to succeed, but there are many barriers to racially equitable business ownership.

In this post, we will discuss the potential reasons for why there are so few Black-owned businesses and why community banks and community development financial institutions (CDFIs) can serve as an important resource.

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The Significance of the Americans with Disabilities Act

By Staff
  | Jul 26, 2024

numerous colorful figures representing people and handicapped people on a dark gray background

July 26th marks the anniversary of the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. This landmark civil rights law prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities and ensures accessibility across public buildings, businesses, communications, transportation, and employment.

In this blog post, we cover the history behind the ADA, its key components, and the positive changes that have resulted from its enactment.

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The Cost of Accessibility: Financial Planning for People with Disabilities

By Staff
  | Jul 22, 2024

on the right are the words

Happy Disability Pride Month! July marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination based on disability. While we have come a long way as a society in recognizing and accommodating various disabilities, there is still so much work to be done to make our spaces and systems truly accessible.

One of the major challenges that people with disabilities often go through is the additional costs that can come with supporting a disability or making an environment more accessible through things like adaptive technologies and home modifications.

In this blog post, we will be discussing the financial effects of ableism and providing some helpful tips and resources to support people with disabilities.

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Our Impact in 2023

By Staff
  | Jul 08, 2024

Our 2023 Annual Report is now available! Through 2023, we have continued to demonstrate significant impact and are grateful to be part of your community.

We are excited to give you the numbers, share some incredible member stories, and let you know how we plan on continuing to create economic opportunity and promote financial inclusion for all.

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Out and Proud at Self-Help

By Staff
  | Jun 26, 2024

happy people holding a Self-Help Federal Credit Union banner in front of the California Capitol building

Self-Help employees outside the state Capitol building during 2024 Pride in Sacramento, CA

Happy LGBTQIA+ Pride Month!

With the new waves of anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiment and the 532 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills that the ACLU is currently tracking, it is more important than ever to show our support for the LGBTQIA+ community.

At Self-Help, we understand that our focus on uplifting underrepresented groups must include queer folks, who are often discriminated against in the housing and financial services industries. In honor of this month, let’s take some time to recognize some of the ways Self-Help has worked to support LGBTQIA+ communities.

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Celebrating Juneteenth: Understanding the Flag, Colors, and Traditions

By Staff
  | Jun 18, 2024

Juneteeth Celebrating Black liberation in the past, present and future

Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) is a holiday commemorating the end of chattel slavery in the United States. It marks the day in 1865 that news of the Emancipation Proclamation finally reached Galveston, TX, letting the last people who were enslaved in the U.S. know they were free. It is considered a second Independence Day and is also called Freedom Day or Emancipation Day.

Juneteenth became the newest federal holiday in 2021, which means many of us are still learning about its significance. At Self-Help, we’re honoring this important holiday by getting a better understanding of the meaning behind some of the iconic Juneteenth symbols and traditions.

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