$70,000 Awarded to Arcata House Partnership by Coast Central Credit Union and FHLBank of San Francisco Partnership
Coast Central Credit Union (CCCU) has collaborated with the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBank San Francisco) and its AHEAD Economic Development Grant Program to provide $70,000 in funding to Arcata House Partnership (AHP), which provides permanent housing, emergency shelter, case management, and other services to individuals and families who are homeless and/or hungry in Humboldt County.
The AHEAD program (Access to Housing and Economic Assistance for Development) enables FHLBank San Francisco members to give a critical boost to local programs and projects that target pressing community needs and bring greater opportunity to underserved populations. The Coast Central Credit Union-sponsored grant will support AHP’s development of a job training program for unhoused local individuals to work in the field of social services, building a pipeline of support staff with first-hand experience.
AHEAD grants are awarded annually and delivered through the Bank’s member financial institutions to local community organizations for projects and programs that benefit lower-income and underserved communities. Since the program inception in 2004, FHLBank San Francisco has awarded more than $25 million in AHEAD grants to over 800 economic development projects in Arizona, California, and Nevada. In 2023, the Bank’s board of director’s allocated $4 million to the AHEAD program, more than doubling the funding in prior years, and awarded grants to 75 projects.
Arcata House applied for the grant in partnership with Coast Central and was awarded the $70,000 after a competitive selection process. “This news is amazing!” stated Darlene Spoor, Ed.D., AHP Executive Director. “The funding will provide an extraordinary opportunity for us to provide life-changing training for many deserving people in our area.”
“The AHEAD grant program aligns perfectly with our significant giving efforts fueled by a People Helping People approach,” added James T. Sessa, CCCU President & CEO. “We are very proud to partner with FHLBank of San Francisco, and we congratulate Darlene and her team on an outstanding, ongoing effort to help those around us who really need our support.”
“Each year we are inspired by the wide range of impactful programs that are brought to us by our member institutions through the AHEAD grant program,” said Eric Cicourel, senior vice president and community investment officer at FHLBank San Francisco. “We were particularly encouraged by the large number of unique members who participated in this cycle, including many small community banks, regional insurance companies, and local credit unions. These financial institutions are pillars of their communities and have an intimate understanding of the needs of the communities they serve. We are proud to partner with these members to extend a lifeline to so many compelling and deserving organizations.”
Coast Central Credit Union is the largest member-owned financial institution in the area, with $2 billion in assets, over 77,000 members, and operating 11 Member Services Branches throughout Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity counties, including McKinleyville, open six days a week and Bayshore Mall, open seven days a week. Additionally, members have access to a network of 30,000 free CO-OP ATMs nationwide. Individuals who live or work in any of these counties may bank at CCCU. More information is available at coastccu.org, facebook.com/coastcentral, at @coastccu on Instagram, and by calling (707) 445-8801.
The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is a member-driven cooperative helping local lenders in Arizona, California, and Nevada build strong communities, create opportunity, and change lives for the better. The tools and resources provided promote home ownership and expand access to quality housing and boost economic development. Together with our members and other partners, we are making the communities we serve more vibrant, equitable, and resilient.