Selfreliance Federal Credit Union

On October 17–18, Ukrainians in Minnesota could access consular services without traveling to Chicago, at an outreach session organized by the Consulate General of Ukraine in Chicago and hosted at our Minnetonka branch.

The Ukrainian American Community Center helped attendees throughout the weekend, and the Minnesota Department of Human Services shared information for Ukrainian families about community resources, assistance programs, and support services available in Minnesota.

We thank the Consulate General of Ukraine in Chicago, the Ukrainian American Community Center, and the Minnesota Department of Human Services for their collaboration, as well as everyone who visited our branch.

On Saturday, October 10, Selfreliance FCU hosted a Financial Literacy Seminar for Kids at Happy Place Art Studio in Warren, MI, bringing together children ages 5 to 11 for an afternoon of learning and creativity.

We started by introducing the kids to Selfreliance FCU and sharing a little about our history and connection to the community. Then, we put their money knowledge to the test with a fun game of “True or False?” using green and red voting cards. The kids also got an up-close look at real banknotes and learned what makes them unique.

Next, our young designers created their own banknotes, complete with a name, a hero, a secret mark, and a symbol. Their creations were proudly displayed in our “Selfreliance Money Museum” before heading home with them. We wrapped up the afternoon with a raffle featuring three gift certificates worth $25, $50, and $75.

It was wonderful to see so much curiosity, creativity, and enthusiasm throughout the event!

A special thank-you to the team at Happy Place Art Studio for warmly welcoming us and helping make this event possible!

On October 7, Selfreliance FCU joined about 80 businesses and organizations at the Hanover Township Business Networking Event at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morris County, New Jersey, organized by the Hanover Township Economic Development Advisory Committee. It was a great chance to meet our neighbors in the local business community and introduce them to the business and personal banking services we offer.

Thank you to the committee for bringing everyone together, and to all who stopped by to connect with our team.

This October, during Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we wanted to remind our members of a few ways to protect themselves online. Often, it starts with one simple habit: slowing down.

Scammers rely on quick reactions. Taking a few extra seconds to verify an email, text, or website can help protect your personal information and your finances. Small actions really do make a big difference.

$16 Billion Lost to Internet Crime
Cybercrime isn't just a big-business problem. It affects individuals and families every day. According to the FBI, Americans reported more than $16 billion in internet crime losses in a single year. That's why staying informed and practicing safe online habits has never been more important.

Think before you click. Your next click matters.

Financial habits formed early can shape a lifetime, which is why Selfreliance FCU was glad to spend October 3 with students in grades 9 through 11 in Warren, Michigan.

Our financial literacy seminar began with a simple question, "What would you do with $1,000?", and grew into a practical discussion of budgeting, distinguishing needs from wants, and the basics of earning, saving, and investing. We showed how $16 a week adds up to $832 over a year, and shared how Selfreliance FCU itself grew from small beginnings into an institution serving members across six states.

The students participated actively throughout, and the most engaged earned additional raffle entries for gift certificates, with two of them among the three winners. We're grateful to Ridna Shkola for the partnership and look forward to continuing this work with young people in our community.

Thank you to the School of Ukrainian Language and Culture in Detroit (Ridna Shkola) for the partnership, and to the students for their energy and great questions. We look forward to coming back!