Ent Credit Union employees planting a tree during the Aug. 8 event. Credit/We Fortify
Ent Credit Union has pledged $1 million over five years to We Fortify, a Colorado Springs, Colo., nonprofit focused on attainable housing and community building. The partnership, celebrated Friday with a ceremonial signing and tree planting at Working Fusion at Mill Street, will fund two new housing villages aimed at addressing critical housing needs in the Pikes Peak Region.
Prospect Village will offer “missing middle” housing in the form of tiny homes for essential workers such as teachers, nurses and first responders. The Village at Giberson will provide housing and wraparound services including job training, therapy and mentorship for young adults at risk of homelessness.
“This gift from Ent is more than just financial support,” Shelley Jensen, founder and CEO of We Fortify, said. “It’s a vote of confidence toward what’s possible when we believe in people and build places where they can belong, grow and thrive.”
Ent Executive Director of Philanthropy Annie Snead said the credit union’s support reflects its belief that “financial well-being starts with stability, and that includes having a safe, supportive place to call home.” She noted that rising home prices and interest rates have made stability “out of reach” for many Coloradans.
The initiative added to the Colorado Spings-based Ent’s broader philanthropic efforts, with more than $3 million in donations planned for Colorado nonprofits this year. Residents in We Fortify’s communities will also receive free financial education from Ent.
Ent has $10.3 billion in assets and serves more than 575,000 members.
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