GLCU receives Juntos Avanzamos designation from Inclusiv
BANNOCKBURN, IL (July 2, 2024) — Great Lakes Credit Union (GLCU) is pleased to announce that it has received the Juntos Avanzamos designation from Inclusiv, a group of community development credit unions (CDCUs) that focus on financial inclusion and empowering underserved communities. The Juntos Avanzamos designation (a Spanish term that translates to “Together We Advance” in English) recognizes credit unions that are committed to serving and empowering Hispanic and immigrant communities.
Inclusiv is leading the expansion of Juntos Avanzamos credit unions nationwide in partnership with the Network of Latino Credit Unions and Professionals (NLCUP), Coopera, the Cornerstone Credit Union League, and other state leagues and associations across the U.S. Currently, there are 141 Juntos Avanzamos credit unions in the country.
Hispanic and immigrant communities play an important role in the U.S. economy and are a key part of the member base that CDCUs serve. Financial empowerment is especially important for immigrant communities, which are often unbanked and targeted by predatory financial service providers. Juntos Avanzamos credit unions provide access to essential financial services and help Hispanic and immigrant members navigate the U.S. financial system.
According to Inclusiv, Juntos Avanzamos credit unions “employ bilingual, culturally-competent staff and leadership, accept alternative forms of ID and treat all of their members with respect, regardless of immigration status.”
“Providing equal access to financial empowerment for socioeconomically and racially diverse communities is an important part of GLCU’s mission of banking for a greater good,” said Patrick Basler, Chief Experience Officer at Great Lakes Credit Union. “We’re honored and proud to receive the Juntos Avanzamos designation. We look forward to building even stronger relationships with the Hispanic and immigrant communities we serve.”
One of the ways GLCU financially empowers immigrant communities is through providing assistance and support to asylum seekers. In 2023 and 2024, the GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment helped 529 people through its Asylum Seekers Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
GLCU also supports Hispanic and immigrant communities through its outreach efforts. In October 2023, GLCU sponsored the Mano a Mano Hispanic and Latin Heritage gala – a fundraising event that supports Mano a Mano’s efforts to advocate for immigrant families in Lake and McHenry Counties.
About Great Lakes Credit Union
Founded in 1938 and headquartered in Northern Illinois, Great Lakes Credit Union is banking for a greater good. As a not-for-profit financial cooperative with more than $1.6 billion in assets, GLCU is proud to serve 95,000 members in Chicagoland and surrounding areas, and to give back to its members and communities through education, volunteerism, and partnerships. Learn more about GLCU’s accounts, educational initiatives, and community development programs at www.glcu.org.
