The Seattle-based Verity Credit Union has launched Pathways to Wealth & Resources (PWR), a financial well-being program designed to help individuals and small businesses build financial stability. The program is free and does not require membership.
The $735-million credit union is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) focused on expanding access to financial resources in underserved communities.
"While access to financial information has expanded, access to trusted, community-rooted and culturally responsive guidance remains uneven," Ziquora Banks, Verity's chief impact strategy officer, said. "As a CDFI, Verity is uniquely positioned to respond, working alongside communities to ensure financial education is relevant, accessible and rooted in lived experience."
The program focuses on three areas aimed at supporting long-term financial stability: Learning, access and opportunity. It includes workshops and peer discussions to help build financial knowledge, along with connections to tools and guidance that support participants' goals. As participants build confidence, the program also introduces "pathways" to longer-term outcomes such as homeownership, entrepreneurship and asset building. Verity developed and delivers the program in-house.
PWR is open to anyone and does not require prior financial experience. While available to the broader community, the program is focused on groups that have historically faced barriers to financial services, including low- to moderate-income households, communities of color, immigrant and refugee populations, unbanked and underbanked individuals, gig and hourly workers, young adults and community college students, and microbusiness owners and entrepreneurs.
Participants can engage with PWR in a range of ways, including workshops, cohorts, digital resources and coaching connections. Many of the workshops are offered virtually, with some in-person sessions available. Participants can sign up once to access the program's offerings and choose the options that best fit their needs and goals.
"PWR is an expression of who we are as a credit union, rooted in community, dignity and partnership," Mandy Lee, community impact manager, said. "It reflects how Verity walks alongside our community as they build financial confidence, stability and long-term well-being."
Joyce Moed can be reached at joyce.moed@arc-network.com.
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