Verity Credit Union's Microgrant Program
Verity Credit Union's Microgrant Program is designed to provide unrestricted monetary support for organizations whose work benefits historically underserved communities within Washington State.
Here are the Fall 2022 recipients!
Fresh Start Professional Services
Fresh Start Professional Services is a collective of BIPOC community members who provide supportive services to BIPOC youth and adults in transition – from homelessness, foster care, the justice system, and treatment facilities.
Their staff brings over 30 years of combined professional and lived experience of being impacted by our current systems of social services, including the Department of Social and Health Services, the criminal / legal justice system, and the education system. They are made up of community mentors, educators, life coaches, athletic coaches, workforce development advisors, reentry coaches, and many more.
“Fresh Start staff and volunteer work is deeply rooted and focused on promoting education and vocational training as a ladder to success,” writes Franklyn Smith, Co-Founder. “By bringing together community members of lived and professional experiences to help system-impacted people transitioning back into the community, we are able to create an atmosphere of creditability toward connecting with our target population.”
Fresh Start Professional Services also works closely with local authorities toward the creation of diversion programming. Their approach revolves around restorative justice, intentionally designed to divert community members away from the criminal justice system and toward opportunities which strengthen communities and partnerships.
The Verity Microgrant will go toward supporting Fresh Start’s general programming – a 16 hour curriculum covering topics such as goal planning and effective communication skills, plus introduction classes to professional fields like community base digital equity and broadband installation, community advocacy, leadership, and entrepreneurialism.