Self-Help recently provided financing for the buildout of a new facility for Bright Star Schools’ Valor Academy Elementary School (VAES) in North Hills, California.    

VAES is a part of the Bright Star Schools network that serves students in need. VAES fosters strong community engagement, their curriculum and programming celebrates students’ cultures, and they are committed to equity.   

The Self-Help loan will fund a new facility that expands capacity by 49%. This expansion will allow VAES to provide more students with access to high-quality, culturally responsive education. It’s a win for the school, the community, and most importantly, the students!   

At Self-Help, we are proud to support educational equity in action by working with charter schools that meet the needs of students in their communities.

When CheSa was diagnosed with Celiac during her pregnancy, she became determined to create delicious gluten-free recipes, which led her to start a gluten-free catering business and open a food truck. 

In 2020, CheSa reached out to Self-Help to discuss opening a gluten-free restaurant. Self-Help helped CheSa secure a space and start renovations with a loan. Then, only nine months after opening, CheSa suffered a near-fatal stroke and had to close the restaurant while she recovered. She reopened 3 months later and rebuilt the business with consistency and strategic marketing tactics.  

Her hard work paid off – this year, her restaurant’s food truck was chosen to be present at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, and she was featured as one of USA Today’s top ten gluten-free restaurants. We are proud to have been able to support CheSa on her journey! 

Check out this incredible full story on the blog: community.sh/CheSasJourney 

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On November 13, we will be hosting our annual meeting in Sacramento, CA, at our new full-service branch! We look forward to connecting with you in person over light hors d’oeuvres to share what we’ve been up to, what’s ahead, and how your membership has helped improve financial access for our communities. If you are able to attend, please RSVP at the link below!

Date & Time: November 13, 2024, at 5:30 - 7:00pm PT 

Place: 3924 Franklin Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95820 

RSVP: self-helpfcu.org/annual-meeting 

Brighten your season with our special year-end loan. 

Qualified members can borrow up to $2,000 at 11.9% APR* for 12 months. 

Apply online at self-helpfcu.org/holiday or contact a Member Service Representative for additional details.

*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Self-Help Federal Credit Union reserves the right to discontinue or modify this offer at any time. Holiday loans are available until December 31, 2024. 

The holiday season is upon us! As a friendly reminder, Self-Help Federal Credit Union will be closing its branches in observation of the following holidays:

• Oct 14: Indigenous Peoples’ Day  
• Nov 11: Veterans’ Day 
• Nov 28-29: Thanksgiving  
• Dec 24-25: Christmas 
• Jan 1: New Year’s Day

While we won’t be able to assist you in-person, you always have access to your account through online & mobile banking and our network of Co-op ATMs.

Switching to an electric vehicle (EV) could save you money! Unlike gas cars, EVs don’t need things like oil changes or tune-ups, and the cost of electricity to charge an EV is typically hundreds of dollars less per year than the cost of fuel for a gas-powered vehicle.  

If you want to make the switch to an EV to help your wallet and the environment, consider a Self-Help Electric Vehicle Loan for:

• Discounts on EV loan rates  
• Loans of up to $75,000 
• Inclusion of home charger and installation with your loan 
• Competitive interest rates

Contact your local branch or visit self-helpfcu.org/ev-loans to learn more

As a reminder, Self-Help will never call you to ask for personal information. If you receive a call from someone telling you they are a Self-Help employee and asking for your information, immediately:

• Hang up
• Call Self-Help

Sometimes, scammers are able to make their phone numbers look like they’re coming from an organization that they’re not. Instead of calling us from the contact in your call history, verify and type in the number you want to reach on the keypad. To reach our customer service, you can call 1-877-369-2828.