HAWTHORNE CREDIT UNION Salutes "Families Helping Families" Mentor Rashmi Patel

 

(Naperville, IL May 19, 2008) Hawthorne Credit Union wishes to congratulate Rashmi Patel for recently completing the mentoring training program for Naperville-based "Families Helping Families".   Ms. Patel, who works as a Data Processing Analyst at Hawthorne CU's main branch office in Naperville, took part in the Families Helping Families (FHF) walk fundraiser last fall, and was so impressed by the organization's dedication to helping single moms improve their quality of life that she wanted to get more deeply involved.   The delightful family event will take place at Naperville Library's 3015 Cedar Grade Drive (95th and Route 59) location, and will feature two shows at 9:30 a.m. and at 11:30 a.m. featuring a madcap, family-friendly theatrical production by singer, musician, songwriter and author Dave Rudolf.  Dave has entertained families and children with his wit and musical talent for more than 20 years. In addition, he has composed 15 CDs, and written award-winning lyrics for Disney and Second City.

"The young mothers who come to FHF are typically homeless and in debt beyond their control or comprehension.and many have emotional problems due to the pressures and turmoil of trying to care for small children without knowing where their next meal is going to come from," said Rashmi, to reflect on the importance of volunteer mentoring provided by Families Helping Families. "This being close to home and understanding how difficult it would be without the strong support of one's family and friends."  
 
Families Helping Families mentors meet with their clients at least weekly. They help single moms, dependent on their current situation, enroll in college or trade school or ESL or GED classes. Mentors work with clients to establish budgets, repay debt, help form better habits and make better decisions. They work with the local schools in order to advocate for the client's children. Most importantly, the mentors provide guidance, encouragement, and emotional support, while also directing them to local dentists, attorneys, CPA's, car repair shops, and other businesses that have agreed to provide their services to FHF clients free of charge.
 
Patel says she was inspired to volunteer as a mentor for Families Helping Families by co-worker Florence Botbol, Hawthorne's Human Resources Director, who has coordinated the Naperville-based credit union's support of the grass roots neighborhood assistance program for over a decade.  "The credit union industry's philosophy is 'People Helping People', so it was natural for Hawthorne CU to get behind this incredible, grass roots neighborhood organization that provides apartments and supportive services to homeless families in DuPage County, while they are working to reclaim their lives."
 
In addition to donating funds to help the 501(c)(3) public service organization pay for printing, materials and postage costs, Hawthorne CU provides flexible, no fee checking accounts and financial literacy training to help single moms regain control of their financial lives.  Among the topics covered in the training are: negotiating down/consolidating debt, cleaning up their credit history, and accessing available resources that can lead to an independent and solid financial future.
 
"Families Helping Families is not a hand-out.  It's a helping hand for young mothers who are determined to improve their lifestyle, their work and spending habits, and their situation for the betterment of themselves and their children," says Florence Botbol, who has encouraged many of her co-workers to give of their time to help.  "Rashmi is an inspiration to everyone who knows her because she has overcome life's hardships to achieve personal and professional independence.while maintaining a great attitude and positive personality," Botbol said.  "And now, as a mentor for Families Helping Families, she's passing along her successes to others so they can follow in her footsteps."
 
About Families Helping Families
Families Helping Families provides housing, mentoring, and supportive services with the end goal being self-sufficiency and overcoming the vicious cycle of several generations of abuse and poverty.   Participating families are usually homeless mothers and their children who have been victims of domestic violence and/or poverty.  These are drug-free mothers who have removed themselves from their domestic violence situation and are struggling to provide housing, food and even clothing for their children.  They want to become self-sufficient but lack the financial means to pay for rent and the education to obtain the kind of jobs that will allow them to provide for their families.  While the circumstances surrounding their housing crises differ, there is one universal truth-they are deeply concerned about their children and truly believe that, with assistance, they can provide a better life for them. Each mom signs a contract, renewable every 3 months, with Families Helping Families, agreeing to adhere to the rules of our program. Goals are reviewed and revised quarterly as well. The average stay in our program is 2 years.  For more information, visit www.famhelpingfam.org.
 
About Hawthorne Credit Union
Hawthorne Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative that has been serving members since 1935 with financial services ranging from checking and savings accounts to mortgages, auto loans, Visa credit cards, financial planning and small business services. Currently, the credit union serves more than 14,000 members at its two locations at 267 S. Weber Rd. in Bolingbrook and at 1519 N. Naper Blvd. in Naperville and via the campus branch at Alcatel Lucent. For more information visit www.eHawthorne.org or call 630-369-4070.
 
Hawthorne was the recipient of the 2007 Best Bolingbrook Business award in the Finance category; winner of three 2008 CUES Golden Mirror Awards and the 2006 Dora Maxwell Community Service Award for Illinois.