The Kauai Federal Credit Union Community Impact Celebration on Monday did more than present awards to recipients of three separate programs — student scholarships, Community Development Grants, and Down Payment Assistance. The gathering also showcased the versatility of the shared workplace space at Kalukalu at 1624 that is described as an economic resilience center.
KFCU CEO Sean Kaley helped with the three phases of presentations that started with a “grounding” ceremony led by Mason Chock and connected the three groups of people.
KFCU presented five scholarships of $2,000 each to Kauai students after filtering through nearly 50 applications.
“All applicants were asked to write about what strengthening the fabric of our community means to them which is in line with the Kauai FCU mission,” said Nikki Ige, KFCU’s community impact manager. “It was inspiring to hear their perspectives.”
Student scholarship recipients included Chelcie Domingo, a Kapaa High School graduate majoring in ultrasound technology at the Kauai Community College and the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Domingo is also the daughter of a KFCU employee.
Rashall Jamorabon is a Waimea High School graduate majoring in pre-med imaging technology at Oregon Tech.
Sage Keller, a Kapaa High School graduate, is travelling to the Middlebury College to study environmental policy.
Margarita Lomongo is a Waimea High School graduate and will be studying dietics at Northern Arizona University.
Veronica “Bonnie” Nagahisa already earned her bachelor’s degree from Chaminade University before taking part in the Kapaa High School graduation. She will use her scholarship to help get her Master of Arts degree in teaching at Chaminade.
Chantal Zarbaugh of the KFCU said in collaboration with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, KFCU was able to provide $53,750 in community supoort for community development and housing.
Community groups qualifying for these awards include the Hawaiian Lending and Investments, Ho‘omana, the Kauai Chamber of Commerce, the Kauai Economic Development Board, Kipuka Kuleana, Rice Street Business Association, and the University of Hawaii Foundation-Kauai Community College.
Under the Down Payment Assistance program, KFCU provided $25,000 in down payment assistance to three families, including the first-ever grant for a Native Hawaiian home on Department of Hawaiian Homes land.
Other programs that are available through the KFCU include financial education, small business support through workshops, and cesspool conversion loans.
For more information, visit the KFCU website at www.kauaicreditunion.org, or contact Ige at nikki@kauaicreditunion.org.
Source: The Garden Island
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