Empowering our community
The COVID-19 Pandemic did not stop us from carrying out one of the guiding principles of all financial cooperatives—concern for our community. We supported non-profits whose mission was to improve the lives of those communities we serve.
SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk
On October 24, 2021 a team of WPCCU employees went the extra mile and walked in the Skechers’ Pier to Pier Friendship Walk in the beautiful South Bay. Every October thousands rally for a fun-filled celebration at the beach, where families and friends gather to walk from Manhattan Beach Pier to Hermosa Beach Pier and back in support of our children. Since 2009, the event has raised more than $15 million to support the Friendship Foundation benefiting children with special needs and public education. Co-produced by SKECHERS USA and the Friendship Foundation, it is the largest charity walk of its kind in California.
Attila Morgan (left), Thematic Learning Organization’s Director of Programing and James Washington (right), 2x Super Bowl Champion and founder of Shelter 37.
Aligning With Non-Profits That Help Young Adults
Sometimes people just need a break. A helping hand reaching out at the right time can change peoples’ lives forever. This is why WPCCU is partnering with the Thematic Learning Organization’s Director of Programing, Attila Morgan, and James Washington’s (2x Super Bowl Champion) non-profit, Shelter 37. These non-profit organizations deliver financial literacy programs as well as highly effective life skills, job training and education to the disadvantaged youths in Southern California.
Thematic Learning Organization and Shelter 37 have recently designed an educational, motivational, and vocational program, My Next Chapter - Connecting Youth to a Brighter Future. My Next Chapter provides foster youth/young adults who age out of the system with real life skill sets to help them in their transition into adulthood and give them an opportunity to secure employment and/or start their own business. Additionally, Shelter 37 helps guide many inner-city youths into college and then into successful careers. WPCCU believes that one of the best things you can give someone is an opportunity to secure a career they can be proud of. It truly is a gift that can last for a lifetime.
Middle School Girls STEM Program 2021 Sponsorship
WPCCU continues to partner with the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) to support their Green Jobs Fellowship Program, and most recently the 2nd Annual Middle School Girls STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Program.
Last year, girls from three LAUSD middle schools in underserved communities were challenged to create a zero-emissions school bus. Utilizing the prototype kits sponsored by WPCCU and supported by WPCCU mentors, the girls presented their concepts to replace diesel school buses with electric buses to ensure cleaner air for their communities. Upon completion, the girls also received swag bags from WPCCU as graduation gifts.
WPCCU joins Green Jobs Fellowship Program Fair
Each year, WPCCU supports LACI's Green Jobs Fellowship Program Career Fair which engages LACI startups, partner organizations, and educational institutions to provide additional opportunities for graduates upon completion of the program. The Fellowship recruits participants from all over LA County who are un/underemployed, part of an underrepresented group, and interested in joining the green economy.
A total of 60 students virtually participated in an experiential learning day to explore careers in the cleantech sector. From there, the top 30 students were selected to participate in a 6-week technical boot camp focusing on Software Development/IT Support, which then culminated in a Project Demo Day. Graduates were placed in internships and received three months of technical support from training contractors to ensure they were providing quality services.
About LACI
Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is creating an inclusive green economy for the people of Los Angeles by: unlocking innovation by working with startups to accelerate the commercialization of clean technologies; transforming markets through partnerships with policymakers, innovators, and market leaders in transportation, energy and sustainable cities; and enhancing communities through workforce development, pilots, and other programs.
Saving lives one dollar at a time
Your credit union proudly supports the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® and our local Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. In 2021, a $5,000 donation was given in our members' names in lieu of our in-person Member Appreciation Celebration, pet adoption and food truck event. Together with our members’ donations and the CO-OP® Financial Service’s Miracle Match, we raised $10,000! In the fall, our membership and employees raised another $877 in donations during our September Miracle Jeans event.
100% of funds raised went to the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Many patients and their families have benefited from programs and equipment provided by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals funds that helped them on their way to recovery. WPCCU is proud to have raised more than $56,018 since 2014 for this charity.
