LYNN — St. Jean’s Credit Union has awarded eight grants totaling $100,000 to small businesses and community-based nonprofit organizations to assist with COVID-19 related expenses.
“St. Jean’s is committed to helping local businesses and nonprofit organizations in our communities. This grant money will allow us to further assist those who have been significantly impacted by the pandemic,” said David Surface, president and CEO of St. Jean’s Credit Union. “Congratulations to all.”
St. Jean’s Credit Union was the recipient of funds issued by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston Jobs for New England Recovery Grant Program.
The program is designed to assist Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston members with grants to support local small businesses and nonprofit organizations experiencing hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The grants will be used for pandemic-related expenses, such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and modifications to comply with state and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
They were awarded to both small businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans, and community-based nonprofit organizations or owners of affordable housing.
Grants were given to the following businesses: Lynn Museum/LynnArts, North Shore Latino Business Association Inc., Inspire Arts and Music, Inc., Healing Abuse Working for Change, Inc., Boxer Motor Works, Women Encouraging Empowerment, Inc., and Thmor Dar Restaurant and Carry Out Café.
Lynn Museum/LynnArts was awarded $25,000 by the credit union to support general operating expenses and salaries, along with COVID-19 related costs.
According to Lynn Museum/LynnArts Director Doneeca Thurston, much of that fund was used to create a relief fund, which provided rental assistance to members of the LynnArts community who were experiencing extreme financial difficulty.
St. Jean’s Credit Union is a state-chartered credit union based in Lynn, serving anyone who lives or works in Essex, Middlesex or Suffolk counties of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and employees and family members of H.P. Hood, LLC. St. Jean’s Credit Union is the oldest state-chartered credit union in America, and Massachusetts’ first credit union, founded in 1910.
St. Jean’s Credit Union serves more than 18,000 members and has five branch offices in Lynn, Salem, Revere and Newburyport.
The credit union carries a low-income designation, a recognition given to credit unions that predominantly serve and empower low-income members.
Guthrie Scrimgeour can be reached at [email protected].
