St. Louis, MO - “There are so many challenges and barriers in the world; it’s going to take unity to better our environment,” said Bruce Franks, Missouri State Representative.

1st Financial Federal Credit Union, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), awarded their quarterly grant community grant to 1st Financial member, Bruce Franks, to support his efforts to strengthen the community through youth empowerment and economic growth through 28 to Life.

“28 to Life is dedicated to bringing out the Super Hero in everyone, especially our youth,” said Franks. “Super Heroes do two things: they save those who don’t want to be saved, and they often save those who didn’t know they needed to be saved.”

In 2015, 28 to Life started as a gun-violence prevention organization. Today, the organization has shifted focus to mentoring, job development, education, and the financial empowerment. The organization has helped over 2,000 young people in St. Louis.

With the $500 Community Grant, Franks plans to use the money to host their first teen summit in 2017. This summit is a series that will bring together youth, local law enforcement, community partners, and community leaders.

“The Summit serves as a tool to bridge gaps between the youth and law enforcement, as well as activist and politics,” said Franks.

“Our Community Grant empowers our members with a financial investment to use toward their good work. Bruce is undertaking work that truly embodies the Credit Union philosophy of people helping people! Bruce’s efforts as the founder of 28 to life and 1st Financial’s Community Development activities intersect often so I actually appreciate first-hand the impact the Grant money will make,” said Tracy Verner, Community Development Manager at 1st Financial Federal Credit Union.

For more information about 1st Financial Federal Credit Union and the credit union difference, visit www.thebetterwaytobank.org.

About 1st Financial Federal Credit Union

Like all credit unions, 1st Financial is a member-owned, financial cooperative. 1st Financial Federal Credit Union was chartered on September 3, 1968 as District 837 Credit Union by the International Association of Machinist members employed by McDonnell Douglas. Today, with over 34,000 members and $215 million in assets, 1st Financial is a St. Louis metro area financial institution dedicated to helping members achieve their financial dreams. For over 45 years 1st Financial has provided members with a full line of dependable financial products and services which returns profits to the members in the form of lower rates on loans and higher savings yields. The cooperative nature of credit unions enables 1st Financial to provide products and services at very reasonable rates.

1st Financial Federal Credit Union serves those who live, work, worship, attend school, or regularly conduct business in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County, Missouri and a wide array of companies throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. 1st Financial is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial organization committed to providing quality services to the membership while demonstrating safe and sound business practices. Deposits are federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an agency of the U.S. Government.