OMNI Community Credit Union News and Information

OMNI Promotes Shawn Davis to Manager

Ted Parsons, CEO of OMNI Community Credit Union, has announced the promotion of Shawn Davis, to Branch Manager at their Fort Custer office. Shawn attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College and has been with OMNI since 1998. She started out as a teller, and has worked in different departments and branches before being named Branch Manager.

Ted Parsons, CEO of OMNI Community Credit Union said, “Shawn has been with us for 15 years. She is a pleasure to work with and the teams she has been on really enjoy working with her. Working at this branch is a completely new experience for her, and we are excited for our membership at Fort Custer to work with such a skilled team member."

OMNI Community Credit Union has over 32,000 members across SW Michigan with $304 million in assets. For five consecutive years, OMNI has given a Cashback Rebate of $4 million dollars to say thank you to members. The credit union continually reinvests in its membership and the communities they serve with new branches, some of the area's best interest rates on loans and savings accounts, no fee checking, low fees, over 28,000 free ATMs, OMNI scholarships and is involved in over 40 community events annually. Anyone in Southwest Michigan can bank with OMNI. To find out how you can join, call 866-OMNI-WOW or visit www.omnicommunitycu.org.

OMNI Issues Community Challenge to Help Inasmuch House

Inasmuch House, established in the early 1990’s, was started when the Haven of Rest saw the need for hosting families in response to the fastest growing segment of the homeless population across the nation and our community, women and children. In 2007 the modern Inasmuch building was constructed along with a playground for the children staying there. Working with nearly 200 families every year, the playground has seen a lot of use as a place where the kids staying there can shrug off the worries of living in a shelter and the social struggles that occur at school. The playground provides a place where they can play and just be kids, and brings a sense of “normal” to their lives. OMNI Community Credit Union has provided Inasmuch with a $2,500 OMNI “Gives Back” Grant, to put towards their goal of $10,000 to redo their playground; repairing and maintenance or replacement of existing playground materials, demolishing unsafe equipment, planting grass seed, landscaping and creating a new, non-dirt surface play area. They have $2,500 but are still $7,500 shy of their goal. OMNI has issued a challenge to the Battle Creek community to help make up the remaining $7,500 to complete this project.

Inasmuch provides a safe, caring environment for these families, giving kids a place to leave their worries behind and offering parents the support they need. Families generally stay at Inasmuch for 30 to 60 days, depending on the emergency situation(s) causing the homelessness. Case managers work individually with each family to figure out what’s creating the barrier to maintaining safe and permanent housing. For those families that do require additional help beyond 60 days, Inasmuch offers a “Women and Families in New Life” or “WIN” Program. Through WIN, case managers work with families, for up to two years, working towards independence.

The support provided by Inasmuch House is invaluable and truly works. “S.E.” came to Inasmuch after fleeing an abusive relationship. She and her two children worked with case managers to enter the WIN Program and maintain the family’s housing. With the help of case managers at Inasmuch, “S.E.” soon returned to college, earning a nursing degree and today is living successfully and independently with her kids.

“Awarding this grant to Inasmuch House has really opened our eyes to the struggles that children in homeless families face. Many of us take for granted that our kids can go outside and play and be carefree. The children staying with their families at Inasmuch are in situations where adult troubles are part of their every day lives, and they need a place they can let everything go and feel what it’s like to truly be a kid,” said Ted Parsons, OMNI CEO. “That’s why we are issuing a challenge to the community. They still need $7,500 to restore this playground. If you are a nursery or green house, donate grass seed or woodchips. If you are a construction company, help out by donating your time and services; anything. Donate whatever amount you can to help these kids in our community. Help take some of the stress off of these parents by giving their kids a safe environment to play in, where they are free to dream and play without worrying about their family’s current economic status.”

If you would like to make a donation please contact Daniel Jones, Fund Development Coordinator for The Haven and Inasmuch House, at (269) 965-1148 ext. 16. You may also make donations through The Haven’s website, www.thehavenbc.org. For those choosing to donate through the website, please include a tagline that the donation is specific for the Inasmuch Playground.

Region 3B Area Agency on Aging Receives $1,000 OMNI "Gives Back" Grant

Region 3B Area Agency on Aging was awarded a $1,000 OMNI “Give Back” Grant. They are the sponsoring organization for the Calhoun County Elder Abuse Prevention Coalition (EAP). The organization works to reduce and prevent the abuse of vulnerable adults through community awareness, education and action. The OMNI “Gives Back” Grant will support the production, distribution and dissemination of a “Don’t Be A Victim” tool kit, specific to Calhoun County, focusing on financial exploitation of seniors and vulnerable adults. The goal of the kit is to increase awareness and understanding of financial abuse and help those who may have been exploited.

“As a financial institution that strives to do what’s best financially for each member, this kind of program is very important to us,” OMNI CEO, Ted Parsons, said. “Contributing to this cause is truly following the credit union motto of ‘People helping People’.”

“Financial Abuse is the most common type of abuse activity reported to our Elder Abuse Prevention Coalition members,” states Karla Fales, CEO of Region 3B Area Agency on Aging. “Often, the abuser is a trusted caregiver or family member. Having the proper documents, guardianship wishes, and other legal tools in place is empowering, and can greatly reduce family stress from concerns related to finances. We are very grateful to Omni for their contribution towards this project.”

OMNI is now accepting applications for the grant program and has committed to provide $50,000 in grants in 2013. To apply visit www.omnigivesback.org.

OMNI Community Credit Union has over 32,000 members across SW Michigan with $304 million in assets. For five consecutive years, OMNI has given a Cashback Rebate of $4 million dollars to say thank you to members. The credit union continually reinvests in its membership and the communities they serve with new branches, some of the area's best interest rates on loans and savings accounts, no fee checking, low fees, over 28,000 free ATMs, OMNI scholarships and is involved in over 40 community events annually. Anyone in Southwest Michigan can bank with OMNI. To find out how you can join, call 866-OMNI-WOW or visit www.omnicommunitycu.org.

Creating Change In Battle Creek Neighborhoods Receives $3,000 OMNI "Gives Back" Grant

The Creating Change in Battle Creek Neighborhoods (CC) organization has been chosen as an OMNI “Gives Back” Grant recipient. The group brings residents together to make improvements in their community. Residents are trained to become empowered leaders who reach out to others to make needed change. Currently, CC is running a Block Captains Program in the Post-Franklin and Freedom Acres neighborhoods, along with the Tenant’s Organization in Triangle Trailer Park. The Block Captains for the Post-Franklin and Freedom Acres neighborhoods are working with the Chief of Police to increase neighborhood safety and decrease crime in key areas of the city. Block Captains for the Triangle Trailer Park are working on improving basic services, such as a properly working sewage system, clean water and parking lights.

“We are proud to work with an organization such as CC,” said Ted Parsons, OMNI CEO. “These people are truly coming together to make the community a better place and we are so pleased to be a part of that through this grant.”

OMNI is now accepting applications for the grant program and has committed to provide $50,000 in grants in 2013. To apply visit www.omnigivesback.org.

TRAM Awarded $2,000 OMNI "Gives Back" Grant

OMNI Community Credit Union has chosen Three Rivers Area Mentoring (TRAM) to receive a $2,000 OMNI “Gives Back” Grant. TRAM will be using the grant to fund their “At Risk” project. High school students considered “at risk of not graduating” will study frogs, which are “at risk of extinction”. The idea is that engaging kids this way will make it fun and encourage them to continue learning. These kids will also be part of a high school mentoring program. They will go to the local elementary schools once a week for an hour and meet with mentees. The program has grown from 12 matches to 40 matches.

“On behalf of TRAM, we thank OMNI for this generous donation toward TRAM's "At-Risk" project. Our youth will benefit through two programming avenues. First, elementary youth "at risk" of not graduating are mentored by high school age students through our high school mentoring program. Second, TRAM youth are also learning about frogs, also "at risk," through our involvement with Save the Frogs organization," said Jennifer VanOosterhout, TRAM Executive Director.

Ted Parsons, OMNI CEO, said, “Education is incredibly important, especially in today’s economy. We commend TRAM for their program to help kids find a way to enjoy learning and continue their education.”

OMNI is now accepting applications for the grant program and has committed to provide $50,000 in grants in 2013. To apply visit www.omnigivesback.org.

OMNI Community Credit Union has over 32,000 members across SW Michigan with $304 million in assets. For five consecutive years, OMNI has given a Cashback Rebate of $4 million dollars to say thank you to members. The credit union continually reinvests in its membership and the communities they serve with new branches, some of the area's best interest rates on loans and savings accounts, no fee checking, low fees, over 28,000 free ATMs, OMNI scholarships and is involved in over 40 community events annually. Anyone in Southwest Michigan can bank with OMNI. To find out how you can join, call 866-OMNI-WOW or visit www.omnicommunitycu.org.

$2,000 OMNI "Gives Back" Grant to Gryphon Place

OMNI Community Credit Union has awarded Gryphon Place with a $2,000 OMNI “Gives Back” Grant. Gryphon place has partnered with Kalamazoo Public Schools to deploy and implement mediation services that reduce conflict in school settings. There is a specialty program within this called, Restorative Discipline. It is effective in resolving serious disputes that often involve fighting or intense bullying.

"The support of OMNI Community Credit Union helps us to enhance these services that reduce conflict and teach positive problem solving to our youth," said William Pell, Executive Director of Gryphon Place.

“We commend Gryphon Place with local schools for banding together to institute these mediation services. Kids are in school to learn, and disputes with other students is a distraction from that,” said Ted Parsons, CEO of OMNI.

OMNI is now accepting applications for the grant program and has committed to provide $50,000 in grants in 2013. To apply visit www.omnigivesback.org.

OMNI Community Credit Union has over 32,000 members across SW Michigan with $304 million in assets. For five consecutive years, OMNI has given a Cashback Rebate of $4 million dollars to say thank you to members. The credit union continually reinvests in its membership and the communities they serve with new branches, some of the area's best interest rates on loans and savings accounts, no fee checking, low fees, over 28,000 free ATMs, OMNI scholarships and is involved in over 40 community events annually. Anyone in Southwest Michigan can bank with OMNI. To find out how you can join, call 866-OMNI-WOW or visit www.omnicommunitycu.org.

Senior Health Partners Awarded $1,000 OMNI "Gives Back" Grant

Senior Health Partners was awarded a $1,000 OMNI “Gives Back” Grant by OMNI Community Credit Union. The grant was used for a Santa Sock Hop, held in December, 2012. The event was free to 250 elderly, low income, at risk seniors in Calhoun County. It included a meal, entertainment and dancing.

“We are overjoyed to have provided this grant for Senior Health Partners. They put on a lovely event for seniors in our community who might otherwise spend the holidays alone,” said OMNI CEO, Ted Parsons.

Linda Grap, Director for Senior Health Partners, said, “We are fortunate to live in a community that cares about our older adults and are especially grateful to local businesses like OMNI Community Credit Union who believe in giving locally.”

OMNI is now accepting applications for the grant program and has committed to provide $50,000 in grants in 2013. To apply visit www.omnigivesback.org.

OMNI Community Credit Union has over 32,000 members across SW Michigan with $291 million in assets. For five consecutive years, OMNI has given a Cashback Rebate of $4 million dollars to say thank you to members. The credit union continually reinvests in its membership and the communities they serve with new branches, some of the area's best interest rates on loans and savings accounts, no fee checking, low fees, over 28,000 free ATMs, OMNI scholarships and is involved in over 40 community events annually. Anyone in Southwest Michigan can bank with OMNI. To find out how you can join, call 866-OMNI-WOW or visit www.omnicommunitycu.org.

$1,400 OMNI "Gives Back" Grant Awarded to Community Action Agency of S. Central Michigan

The Community Action Agency of South Central Michigan has been awarded a $1,400 OMNI “Gives Back” Grant. The funds for this grant will go towards Community Action’s Volunteer Income Tax Program (VITA). Free tax help and related financial services are provided to low to moderate income individuals and families in Barry, Branch, Calhoun and St. Joseph counties. The program frequently links free tax prep to asset building. Last year, the program helped 1,600 local tax payers.

“Community Action is honored to be a recipient of an OMNI Credit Union ‘Gives Back’ Grant. The funds will be used to support our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program which helps families file their tax returns while making sure they get all the tax credits they are entitled to, with special focus on the Earned Income Tax Credit, a credit for working families,” Nancy Macfarlane, Community Action Agency of South Central Michigan CEO, said

“We think the VITA program is a great solution to those in our communities who may not be able to afford tax preparation services,” Ted Parsons, OMNI CEO, said.

OMNI is now accepting applications for the grant program and has committed to provide $50,000 in grants in 2013. To apply visit www.omnigivesback.org.

OMNI Community Credit Union has over 32,000 members across SW Michigan with $291 million in assets. For five consecutive years, OMNI has given a Cashback Rebate of $4 million dollars to say thank you to members. The credit union continually reinvests in its membership and the communities they serve with new branches, some of the area's best interest rates on loans and savings accounts, no fee checking, low fees, over 28,000 free ATMs, OMNI scholarships and is involved in over 40 community events annually. Anyone in Southwest Michigan can bank with OMNI. To find out how you can join, call 866-OMNI-WOW or visit www.omnicommunitycu.org.

Local Credit Unions Donate $3,000 to S.A.F.E. Place Shelter

Battle Creek Area Credit Unions presented a $3,000 check to the S.A.F.E. Place Shelter of Battle Creek. This marks the 13th year the Battle Creek Area Credit Unions have donated to S.A.F.E. Place, which brings their combined donation amount to $40,000 over those years. Area Credit Unions include: Battle Creek Area Community FCU, Grand Trunk Battle Creek EFCU, KALSEE CU, Kellogg Community FCU, Marshall Community CU, OMNI Community CU, Post Community CU, and United Educational CU.

“Through the cooperative efforts of the Battle Creek Area Credit Unions we are able to make a difference in the communities we serve” said Tracy Miller Chairman of the Battle Creek Chapter of Credit Unions. “This donation also supports the founding principles of credit unions, and that is People Helping People.”

“One well known statistic among domestic violence service providers is that lethality increases by 75% when a victim attempts to leave her assailant; which means, a victim only has a 25% chance of living when she makes her escape! S.A.F.E Place’s role is to carefully help these women and their children with a plan that promises the greatest protections and optimizes her chances of survival. We are overwhelmingly grateful to the Battle Creek Area Credit Unions for understanding the victims’ dilemma and for 13 years of support to our organization,” said Doreen Harrison, SAFE Place Director of Resources & Development.

Battle Creek Area Credit Unions provide low-cost financial services to over 95,000 members across Southwest Michigan. For a credit union near you, visit www.creditunionlink.org

Local Credit Unions Make $1,500 Donation to Food Bank of South Central Michigan

Battle Creek Area Credit Unions presented a $1,500 check to the Food Bank of South Central Michigan. Area Credit Unions include: Battle Creek Area Community FCU, Grand Trunk Battle Creek EFCU, KALSEE CU, Kellogg Community FCU, Marshall Community CU, OMNI Community CU, Post Community CU, and United Educational CU.

“We are proud to donate to the Food Bank as they support the local communities we serve” said Tracy Miller Chairman of the Battle Creek Chapter of Credit Unions.

“We count ourselves extremely fortunate to be the recipient of the Battle Creek Area Credit Union’s outstanding generosity” said Bob Randels, Food Bank executive director. “Most especially during difficult economic times as these, the generosity of the Battle Creek Area Credit Unions speaks volumes about their community involvement and will help us continue to meet the needs of our hunger-relief network that served 102,600 individuals last year.”

Battle Creek Area Credit Unions provide low-cost financial services to over 95,000 members across Southwest Michigan. For a credit union near you, visit www.creditunionlink.org.