Communities Unlimited

This article, written by Jerry Kenney at the TLL Temple Foundation, our CEO Ines Polonius, and Gustavo Lasala from PeopleFund and published by the Stanford Social Innovation Review, asks the question, "How do we build thriving rural communities in the 21st century?" Excellent question. The unique partnership we have built with the TLL Temple Foundation gives life to an innovative, new vision for rural development.

In 2021, Kendall Craig opened Stop & Read Books in Marfa, Texas, with a CU loan. With CU's continued support, she expanded the store in 2024, offering more products and creating a community hub. https://lnkd.in/gtGXwFYW

With the support of CU's Environmental and Lending teams, Quail Creek Municipal Utility District (MUD) in Victoria, TX is addressing its urgent need of a total system renovation.

As Farm to School Month wraps up, we celebrate Lisa Seiber-Garland, Nutrition Director for Trenton SSD in Tennessee, who champions nutritious, locally sourced meals and teaches students about food origins and home gardening. https://ow.ly/yrzH50TVNBs

Belzoni, Mississippi, is embarking on a revitalization journey through its partnership with CU, working to address community needs and achieve lasting transformation. https://lnkd.in/gcJ-BhpK

This #MeetUsMonday, we get to meet Broadband Technical Assistance Provider, Ali Milligan. Ali began her time at CU in 2023 as an American Connection Corps/AmeriCorps Member and officially joined CU as a full-time employee in September of this year and we are so happy to have her here! Learn more about the work Ali and her team do at https://lnkd.in/gHKED9qt

Thank you to Mator Farms in Turrell, AR for letting us come visit! Ollie and Chloe Cox are doing great things, assisted by our Healthy Foods and Lending departments. Look out for more on this story soon!

Community Facilitator Deanna O'Malley is in Huntsville, TX holding poverty simulator where attendees experience what it's truly like to be in need and the challenges of everyday life. Part of this poverty simulator involves simulated criminal activities that create stumbling blocks to overcome. There's some good actors in Huntsville🙂 See more from our Community Sustainability team at https://lnkd.in/gBQ6ERUz

CU staff Amanda McBride and DeAnna O'Malley had a fun day representing CU at a solid waste conference in Dallas this week!

Kalesha Boose of Gulport, MS has reignited her dream of owning her own candle company with the help of CU.