Joliet, IL - May 20, 2020 – The COVID-19 Pandemic has made fundraising difficult for non-profit charities as they struggle to provide much-needed services to the community. As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLB), NuMark Credit Union applied for grants on behalf of seven local charities as part of the FHLB COVID-19 Relief program.

NuMark Credit Union is proud to present a total of $20,000 in grant money to: Accion in Chicago, The Bridge Teen Center in Orland Park, Illinois Credit Union Foundation in Naperville, Guardian Angel Community Services in Joliet, Helping Hand Center in Countryside, Spanish Community Center in Joliet and Wags 2 Wishes Animal Rescue, Inc. in Plainfield. Helping Hands Center and Accion both had matching donations on Giving Tuesday increasing the impact of the grant money.

“We partner with several local charities as they make a difference in the communities that we serve,” says Ann M. Dubie, President & CEO. “We know that fundraising is difficult right now and we hope that this grant money will help offset some of their fundraising gaps, so they can continue to provide services to those who need it most.”

Accion helps to build a financially inclusive world where everyone has access to economic opportunity. They help give people the financial tools they need to improve their lives. For more information about the services offered by Accion visit us.accion.org.

The Bridge Teen Center in Orland Park provides a place where teens can find hope, purpose and direction. This grant money will help them make improvements to their facility, so the teens will be able to return after the stay-at-home restrictions are lifted. The Bridge delivers amazing programs that help teens find a place to belong and connect even during these challenging times. To see what The Bridge has to offer, visit thebridgeteencenter.org.

The Illinois Credit Union Foundation is the outward expression of the “People Helping People” philosophy of the credit union movement. This not-for-profit charitable organization promotes the self-help ideals of credit unions through grants, scholarships and cooperative partnerships.

Guardian Angel Community Services in Joliet provides a place where people can feel empowered to improve the quality of their lives. Through a wide range of services, they help the most vulnerable in our communities. To learn more, visit gacsprograms.org.

Helping Hand Center in Countryside helps improve the lives of children and adults with disabilities. They provide amazing programs and services that help their students achieve their highest level of independence possible. To see what they do, visit hhcenter.org. Spanish Community Center in Joliet helps improve the quality of life for Latinos, immigrants and low income people and their families. Through their educational and social services, they help to include all people in the community so they feel empowered to improve their lives. To find out more about their services, visit spanishcenter.org.

Wags 2 Wishes Animal Rescue, Inc is a place where abused, sick and abandoned animals can go into a rescue program. Their volunteers help to foster these animals and provide a place where they can find love in their new forever home. To see all that they do and perhaps find your next forever friend, visit w2wrescue.com.

NuMark Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative. Serving those who live or work in Northeastern Illinois and Northwest Indiana. They have offices in Joliet, Crest Hill, Countryside, Tinley Park and New Lenox. They have been serving members for over 65 years. See NuMark Credit Union for auto loans, mortgages, checking accounts, business services and more. For more information call (815) 729-3211 or visit numarkcu.org.