Virginia Credit Union and Member One Support Community Well-Being with Donations to Roanoke-Area Nonprofits Totaling $45,000

Virginia Credit Union and its Member One division have donated a combined $45,000 to eight organizations working to strengthen communities and support individuals and families in need throughout the Roanoke Valley. The donations reflect the credit union's commitment to community well-being, with support directed to organizations addressing the unhoused, mental health services, maternal health, economic empowerment, and health care access.

"These valued community partners and nonprofits are doing extraordinary work, and VACU and Member One are proud to support those efforts, including programs helping individuals and families navigate the most challenging times of their lives," said Tim Rowe, Virginia Credit Union's Western Region Market President. "These organizations are addressing vital, critical needs in our communities, especially those of women in need. They care deeply about making a difference, just as Virginia Credit Union cares deeply about being a difference maker for our members and a source of support and strength for our communities."

VACU and Member One focus their charitable giving and community engagement efforts on four key pillars: children's health and wellness, financial education, food security, and community well-being. This strategic focus enables the credit union to have greater impact in areas that most closely align with its mission and position as a trusted community partner.

The credit union's recent donations supporting community well-being include:

• Roanoke Area Ministries (RAM House) received a $5,000 donation to support its work addressing homelessness in the Roanoke Valley. RAM House provides a day shelter, emergency financial assistance, and day labor programs to help unhoused individuals access resources, find stability, and work toward self-sufficiency.

• Family Service of Roanoke Valley received a $5,000 donation to support programs that help individuals and families journey toward lives of emotional wellness, healthy relationships, and a future filled with hope. The organization provides counseling services for children, youth, and adults, along with case management, guardianship, and financial management services to help community members handle life's challenges.

• The Grove on Patterson received a $5,000 donation to support its 24/7 residential program designed especially for pregnant and parenting women facing substance use disorders. With expert addiction specialists and access to OB-GYN medical professionals, The Grove provides the care and guidance women need to reclaim their health, combining recovery from substance use with support for parenthood's challenges.

• HumanKind at the EnVision Center (Ways to Work Program) received a $5,000 donation. VACU and Member One are working with HumanKind to help individuals access reliable transportation and build credit with fair-interest car loans. In addition to loan assistance, program participants receive additional supportive services, including life skills, financial resources, and credit education.

• Virginia Western Community College at the EnVision Center received a $10,000 donation to support educational programs and services offered through the EnVision Center partnership. The VACU/Member One donation will support the purchase of essential supplies needed to effectively operate the organization's office and engage the community.

• EnVision Center (City of Roanoke Redevelopment & Housing Authority) received a $5,000 donation to support its mission of offering U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-assisted families access to support services that help them achieve self-sufficiency. The VACU/Member One donation will support the purchase of laptops for EnVision Center clients enrolled in job readiness and employment programs.

• Bradley Free Clinic received a $5,000 donation to support its mission of providing compassionate and comprehensive health care services for the underserved. The clinic partners with professional health care providers who volunteer their services to offer medical and dental care, behavioral health services, and pharmacy access to community members who lack adequate health coverage.

• Huddle Up Moms received a $5,000 donation to support programs that empower mothers in the Roanoke and New River Valleys through education, meaningful connections, and community support. The organization promotes women's health and wellness, providing a supportive community where mothers can access resources, build relationships, and thrive in all aspects of their lives.

Building on a long history of community engagement and charitable giving, VACU and its Member One division last year donated nearly $1.5 million to local charities and community organizations, invested $1.3 million in financial education initiatives, and contributed more than 2,100 volunteer hours to support nonprofits and community partners across Virginia.