A TRUE “CENTS” OF COMMUNITY

A TRUE “CENTS” OF COMMUNITY

Achieva has been in Sarasota for 10 years and has been proud to be a GOOD neighbor every step of the way – whether it’s through raising money for schools during their annual Run for Good event at Payne Park or putting their hard hats on with Habitat for Humanity Sarasota at Hammock Place.

ADVANCING EDUCATION

Since Achieva Credit Union was founded by teachers, it only makes sense to get behind Sarasota schools in meaningful ways.

BACK 2 SCHOOL BASH Hosted at the Sarasota Square Mall and University Town Center, Achieva handed out free backpacks and school supplies to local students at this event. Achieva also awarded students for their academic achievements: If they showed their report cards as proof that they made honor roll, they received a $25 bonus when opening an Achieva account.

ACHIEVA RUN FOR GOOD Achieva hosts this annual family-friendly 5K run and walk, kids run, and dog walk to benefit Sarasota schools. (Spoiler alert: The event includes a costume contest for dogs).

WILKINSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Achieva has handed out “good job bucks” to Wilkinson Elementary students for their punctuality, attendance and good grades. The students use the good job bucks to spend at the school’s “Positive Behavior School Store,” which was created to reward students for good behavior. At the store, students can purchase things like pencils, lanyards, and logoed items from their school. Students are also encouraged to save at least $50 worth of “good job bucks” for a special end-of-the-school year bash.

HERON CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL GRANT Using funds raised from the Run for GOOD, Achieva awarded a classroom grant to students at Heron Creek Middle School. The money was used for a hands-on activity where the kids learned about bees and beehives – a unique experience Achieva team members were fortunate enough to see firsthand.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS Achieva awards annual college scholarships to deserving high school students who plan to major in education. But that’s not all. Working with the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, Achieva has given 120 classroom grants – a total of $200,000 – to deserving Sarasota teachers since the partnership began in 2011.

TEACHING FINANCIAL LITERACY

People often think that financial institutions are just a place to deposit and withdraw money. But that’s not the case. Sure, Achieva can help you open up a checking account, get a car loan, or transfer your high credit card balance to a low-interest card. But Achieva is also big on helping you achieve your financial goals, whether you’re a renter who wants to be a homebuyer, or a parent looking for money-saving back-to-school shopping tips.

In Sarasota, Achieva has hosted several financial literacy sessions for students and their parents at Wilkinson, Alta Vista, and Ashton Elementary schools. Adults and kids alike learned financial tips like how to budget and ways to save money as a family.

Keep an eye out for upcoming “Cash Classes,” which are financial literacy seminars to teach attendees things like managing their money and how to protect themselves from identity theft. Visit Achieva’s website or Facebook page for regular updates.

ADDRESSING AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Achieva partnered with Habitat for Humanity Sarasota to help build three homes at Hammock Place, a planned community which will have 40 single-family homes. From painting and flooring to interior framing, the Achieva team was pumped to work in the community alongside the members they serve.

And currently, Liz Watts, branch manager at Achieva’s Bee Ridge location, is out in the community supporting local Habitat families as they go through the program. Working with a committee team, Watts mentors Habitat families to ensure they’re keeping up with their work hours and attending financial literacy classes about homeownership.

SUPPORTING UNDERSERVED FAMILIES

Achieva strives to make the holidays a bit brighter for hundreds of Sarasota families each year. That’s why Achieva teams up with the Salvation Army to host “Angel Trees” at its Sarasota branches – a way to collect gifts like bikes, barbies, and clothing for neighbors in need.