Community Credit Union grants help residents in need

PHOTO: Kayleigh Ogden, asset quality specialist with Community Credit Union, and Jim Grimmel of Grimmel’s Auto Service. (Submitted photo)

LEWISTON — Community Credit Union has distributed grants from its $15,000 Emergency Fund for support in the community.
The credit union became a Community Development Financial Institution in 2020 and was also approved for its first Community Development Block Grant from the city of Lewiston, with nearly $15,000 allocated to the credit union for the fund. The credit union worked with its membership, as well as through referrals from community partners, to provide support.
The program provided a one-time emergency fund grant, matched with a voluntary credit builder/savings loan, to assist individuals with preparing for the next emergency that may arise in their lives. Every individual who received an emergency fund grant through the program was provided the opportunity to have the credit builder/savings loan if they chose to.
Kayleigh Ogden, asset quality specialist was the employee primarily working with the members in approving and disbursing emergency funds in this program.
“I was very lucky to have been able to work so closely with our community on granting them aide to help them with emergency costs. We were able to help 29 families heat their homes, restore electricity, and repair their vehicles. This help made such a difference and seeing the worry leave their face upon receiving the grant money is one of the most rewarding experiences that I am thankful to have been a part of.”
Small business have been greatly affected in the pandemic, and another positive that resulted from the CDBG program was strengthening relationships with local businesses, such as Grimmel’s Auto Service. Many grant recipients needed the money to repair their auto so they could maintain reliable transportation, and having a local partner to refer them to for quality work was key.
The Credit Union intends to apply for additional CDBG opportunities in the future to continue supporting the community navigating difficult financial times.
Community Credit Union is a member-owned, full service financial institution that has been serving its members and all of Androscoggin County for 75 years. It has branches located at 14 Pine St.; 40 Stanley St., Auburn; and 1025 Auburn Road in Turner.