Align Credit Union Vice President of Community Development Honored by Community Teamwork Inc.

Align Credit Union is pleased to announce that Jim Sullivan, Vice President of Community Development, has received the 2016 Outstanding Leadership Award from Community Teamwork, Inc. (CTI). CTI is a non-profit organization based in Lowell, Massachusetts whose mission is to strengthen communities and reduce poverty by creating housing, education and economic opportunities. Jim accepted his award at the 2016 Bridge to Independence Gala at the Tsongas Center Backyard on June 15th. Each year the award is given to those who have shown “outstanding leadership in community and volunteering.”

Jim is an active member in the community and volunteers at many organizations, including CTI, where he is an instructor in the Financial Literacy Academy. He teaches a six-week program that focuses on finance basics including budgeting, building and repairing credit, banking and borrowing and asset building. He also provides one-on-one counseling, teaching intensive financial management techniques covering income vs. expenses, creating a spending and savings plan, debt-to-income ratio, financial resources and more.

“Teaching at the Financial Literacy Academy at CTI gives me the opportunity to help make a difference in someone’s life,” said Jim. “This year one of my students was able to buy a home for her family after completing the program. Jenny was able to take advantage of an Individual Development Account (IDA) Grant to help with her downpayment and then got her mortgage through MassHousing and Align’s Community Dream Mortgage Program. Her story is heartwarming.”

“We are pleased to honor Jim’s long-standing commitment to our Financial Literacy Program and his partnership with Community Teamwork. For more than six years, he has gone above and beyond to build strong relationships with more than 400 clients, the community and our partners,” said Kimberly Gleason, Community Teamwork’s Director of Development. “Jim is an integral part of ensuring that families have a supportive environment in which to learn and create a good financial base from which to grow. He has helped so many of our clients reach goals they may not have otherwise set.”

“Everyone at Align is so proud that Jim has been recognized for his dedication to helping others,” said Align President Ken Del Rossi. “He really makes a difference in the community and inspires those who work with him. Congratulations, Jim!”

For more information about CTI’s Financial Literacy Academy:

http://www.commteam.org/how-we-help/finance-business/family-finance-solutions-ffs-financial-education-programs/

For more information about Align’s Community Dream Mortgage Program:

https://www.aligncu.com/mortgages/purchase.php

To meet Jenny and hear her story, visit Align’s YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/user/AlignCU.

Photo Caption
Photo (from L-R): Karen Frederick, Community Teamwork Inc. Chief Executive Officer; Jim Sullivan, Align Vice President of Community Development; Kimberly Gleason, Community Teamwork Inc. Director of Development.

About Align Credit Union

Since 1922, Align Credit Union has provided customized banking solutions to individuals and families throughout Northeastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. Align offers a full suite of products and services including Personal and Business Banking, Mortgages, Financial Planning and Insurance. Founded as the Northern Massachusetts Telephone Workers Credit Union (NMTW), the credit union changed its name to Align in 2013. Membership is open to anyone who lives, works or attends school in many communities throughout Eastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. For additional information, stop by one of six branches in Amesbury, Danvers, Framingham, Haverhill and Lowell or visit www.AlignCU.com.