Photo L-R: Catherine Ricker, Senior Vice President, Community Engagement & External Affairs, Affinity Federal Credit Union Foundation; Betsy McNeil, Executive Director, NGTE; David Kimani, Senior Director of Tennis, NGTE.
Norwalk, C.T. (May 2, 2018) – The Affinity Federal Credit Union Foundation has awarded a $2,500 grant to Norwalk Grassroots Tennis & Education (NGTE). This is its first charitable donation to a Connecticut-based organization following Affinity’s acquisition of NEA Federal Credit Union, expanding its presence from New Jersey to Connecticut and New York.
NGTE is dedicated to building strength of character and a foundation for success on the court, in the classroom and in life through tennis and education. The $2,500 grant will support NGTE’s Junior Coach, leadership development, economic independence, college and career readiness programs, which help students build skills, develop tools and find power in becoming self-sufficient leaders of their lives and in their community. High school students who meet certain criteria on and off the court are selected as Junior Coaches and are paid to work with NGTE’s younger students.
“Affinity is officially part of the Norwalk community, and as such, we have a commitment to supporting organizations that help this community thrive,” said Jacqui Kearns, Chief Brand Officer at Affinity. “Partnering with local charities is engrained in Affinity’s DNA – it’s what makes us a community connected – and we are proud to work with an organization like Norwalk Grassroots Tennis & Education.”
The NGTE program has seen success to-date with 100 percent of seniors graduating high school and rising to the next grade level, and many students showing GPA improvement. The Junior Coach program, specifically, has also shown improvement for participants in three core competency areas: conduct, academics and tennis.
“We are grateful for this generous support from Affinity Federal Credit Union, and are honored to have the opportunity to partner with a group that is aligned with our mission – to build a foundation for success for our kids, families and community in Norwalk,” said Betsy McNeil, Executive Director of NGTE. “Affinity’s funding will help NGTE broaden our Junior Coach programming and deepen our impact by supporting more youth more intensely on the court and in the classroom. Affinity’s team is unique – every single person we have worked with consistently demonstrates their passion for everything they do to better serve the community.”
For questions regarding the Affinity Federal Credit Union Foundation, please contact Erin Witherspoon, Foundation Development Specialist, at ErinW@affinityfcu.com or 908.860.3837
About the Affinity Federal Credit Union Foundation:
The Affinity Federal Credit Union Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Affinity Federal Credit Union and its members. Together, we leverage our contributions to make impactful investments in local, grassroots charitable organizations, with a special focus on improving the financial lives of our members, friends and neighbors in the communities where we live, work, worship and attend school. Along with our volunteer efforts, together we are working to "Create Something Better." For more information, please follow us on Facebook (AffinityGives) and Twitter (@AffinityFCUfdn).
About Affinity Federal Credit Union:
When you become a member of Affinity Federal Credit Union, you belong to something better – a community. With more than 20 branches, Affinity is the largest credit union headquartered in the state of New Jersey, proudly serving the tri-state area and ranking in the top 2% of all credit unions in terms of asset size1. With thousands of businesses, associations, clubs and individuals comprising the Affinity family, we are truly a community connected. Affinity members have access to a network of more than 5,000-shared branches and nearly 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide. As a member-owned, not-for-profit, full-service financial institution federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Affinity’s products and services are designed to fit member needs, all while offering great rates and fewer fees. From consumer and business banking services that include a full suite of deposit products, mobile and online banking, to auto, real estate, education and personal loans, Affinity offers the right tools for its members’ financial success. For more information, please visit affinityfcu.com and follow us on Facebook (AffinityFCU), Instagram (AffinityFCU) and Twitter (@AffinityFCU).