Empowering our community
It’s our continued goal to carry out one of the guiding principles of all financial cooperatives—concern for our community. We have supported non-profits whose mission is to improve the lives of those communities we serve.
SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk
On October 30, 2022 a team of WPCCU employees once again 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 $18 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, and WPCCU is happy to be a part of it.
STEM students pave the way at the LAUSD Science Bowl
WPCCU supports the LAUSD Science Bowl by sponsoring the annual Science Bowl hosted by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power – also a big annual sponsor. It is an official regional competition of the U.S. Department of Energy National Science Bowl. Teams face-off in a fast-paced question-and-answer format, being tested on a range of science disciplines including biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, energy, and math. The winning team receives an all-expense paid trip to the National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C. The credit union helps pave the way promoting the sciences and education of our youth in our community.
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 continues to partner 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 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.
Joining forces to feed the community
WPCCU joined My Next Chapter and Inglewood Active Communities for an ongoing food drive in participation with Teaching Gardens (where produce is grown), and the American Heart Association. More than 300+ grocery bags full of produce and necessities were handed out at Highland Elementary in Inglewood. Free produce food boxes are available for pick-up each Friday to support the community.
Middle School Girls STEM Program 2022 Sponsorship
WPCCU was excited to have been a contributor to LACI’s varied cohorts such as Women in Cleantech, the Middle School Girls in STEM, the 3rd Annual Middle School Girls STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Program, Green Jobs Fellowship, and more. These programs focus on advancing female founders and economically disadvantaged youth with distinctive support and resources.
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 completion certificate from the City of Los Angeles.
In support of LACI’s Middle School Girls in STEM Program (Science-Technology-Engineering-Math), the credit union applied for an AHEAD Program grant from FHLBank San Francisco. Through WPCCU’s diligence, a $27,500 grant was awarded for LACI’s 2023 program.
WPCCU joins Green Jobs Fellowship Career 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.
In 2022, the Green Jobs Fellowship introduced their new Microgrid Maintenance multi-tiered workforce training program. The cohort of 50+ students met the credit union in person on their Exploration Day at the La Kretz Campus. The program provided 6 weeks of Green Collar and technical training boot camp, interpersonal skills, and industry-recognized certifications to participants. They are then paired with LACI startups and partners for internships and job opportunities with a 12-month job retention follow-up service and support.
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 2022, our membership and employees raised another $1,195 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 $57,213 since 2014 for this charity.
