Juntos Avanzamos Program adds three more credit unions in Texas

DATCU, shinning example of what makes CUs different

A "Juntos Avanzamos" flag now flies in front of DATCU CU (Denton). The Texas Credit Union League (TCUL) awarded the designation last week at a ceremony attended by credit union officials, local community leaders and members of city government, including Mayor Euline Brock. DATCU is the fourth credit union in Texas to receive the designation, which signifies that it has a long-term vision and commitment to serving the needs of the Hispanic market. At the same time, this designation lets the Hispanic community know that they can receive friendly, affordable financial services at this "capacity to serve" or "Juntos Avanzamos" institution.

"Credit unions are an integral part of our communities. We are helping families buy their first home, send their children off to college, and plan for their future," TCUL Board of Director Pamela Stephens told the crowd. "Credit unions are about "people helping people. These are not just mere words - it is the philosophy by which we live by. By earning this designation, DATCU has demonstrated its sincere commitment to ensuring that all Texans have access to affordable financial services."

"DATCU, you are a shining example of what makes credit unions different," she adds.
A program of TCUL, Juntos Avanzamos (Together we Advance) is aimed at empowering Texas credit unions to serve their Hispanic market more effectively. By identifying the credit unions with the "capacity to serve," TCUL is able channel its resources to these specific credit unions to help them grow their outreach programs, explains TCUL Communications Director Linda Webb-Mañon. In order to earn the prestigious Juntos Avanzamos designation, credit unions must complete the capacity- to-serve application. The application is quite extensive, requiring information about what products and services the credit union offers to specifically address the needs of this market, as well as what the strategies are for serving this demographic group.
Claudia Velasco of the Mexican Consulate's office in Dallas expressed her gratitude toward DATCU and other Texas credit unions that are opening their doors to the Hispanic community - a segment of the population that she says is growing not only in size, but also in economic influence.

"As an immigrant myself, I understand how important it is to have a relationship with a financial institution," Emma Guzman Ramon, a DATCU board of director told the crowd. "I am proud to accept this honor on behalf of DATCU and I am even more proud to be associated with an organization that puts people before profit."

Mario Galarraga, a project manager with the World Council of Credit Unions who is working with the Caja Popular Mexicana (CPM) in Mexico, congratulated DATCU for their extraordinary efforts in serving the Hispanic community, as well as the role it has played in the international movement. Galarraga, along with representatives from the CPM, had visited with DATCU CU a couple of years ago. The credit union shared best practices in the areas of human resources and training. In addition, Frances Al-Waely, chair of DATCU's Hispanic outreach committee, visited the CPM two years ago, attending their annual meeting and touring their main office in Leon, Mexico. On that visit, Al-Waely says she learned that the CPM struggles with many of the same issues credit unions in the U.S. face when trying to reach out to their Hispanic communities.
TCUL conducted a flagship ceremony at Plus4 CU (Houston) and Friday, at Unity One FCU (Fort Worth). First Central CU (Waco), and Velocity CU (Austin) have also earned the Juntos Avanzamos designation and flagship ceremonies will be held at a later date.

Content taken from The Leaguer, a publication of TCUL
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