Lumen High School is supported by local financial institutions in concert. Canopy Credit Union receives funding from Washington Trust Bank to maintain its function in economic training.
In a trailblazing partnership, Washington Trust Bank has granted Canopy Credit Union $15,000 to continue providing financial education opportunities for students at Lumen High School. This grant will help establish an emergency personal loan fund ($5,000) managed by Canopy on behalf of Lumen’s student support services and will pay for a savings match program for juniors and seniors ($10,000).
By providing programs with high scientific standards, a professional learning center, and wrap-around supports to meet the split needs of young parents, Lumen High School, a public charter school in Spokane, has been serving teen parents and their children since 2020.
“Lumen is a beacon of hope in our community,” Charlotte Nemec, Canopy’s President & CEO, said. With this kind donation from Washington Trust, Canopy is appreciative of supporting these wonderful kids. We’re eager to see how our partnership supports kids’ journeys toward financial well-being.
This award is in line with Washington Trust’s commitment to affordable housing, economic growth, career coaching opportunities, and financial literacy help, especially for young people from low-income families. Additionally, these funds expand Canopy’s efforts as a federally designated Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), providing low-income and underserved populations with a distinctive lending philosophy and empowering financial education.
The interaction of our operations and desire to support this particular school make sense, Nemec said, “While some might get surprised that a lender and a credit union are cooperating,” she continued.
Lumen juniors and seniors may take their financial education courses taught by Canopy staff as the school year rolls to the end of the academic year, and they will establish savings accounts with donations from Washington Trust. To learn about Lumen HS, visit https://www.lumenhighschool.org/.
Contacts: Rachel Aries [email protected] 509.755.1353
Lori Biggs [email protected] 509.217.0988