The Role of the Advocator
Community development credit unions (CDCUs) illustrate the power of people working together to improve their lives. This cooperative credit system illustrates some of the best ambitions in our society; democracy; egalitarianism; and common interests. As such, CDCUs are not only trusted advocates for low-to-moderate income (LMI) people, but for all people.

As a leader, The Support Center sustains public and private partnerships to strengthen the network's efforts to meet members' needs. Though the approaches to helping communities progress are often varied, collaboration is essential to invent the best answers for the questions. Likewise, this practice also helps CDCUs as they embrace the growing global demands of today's society and economy by providing them access to a range of resources. This is beneficial because they face the same challenges as other financial institutions i.e. technology presents new opportunities and challenges; government regulations are staggering and member demographics are changing. However, through sustentative partnerships established by The Support Center, they can remain relevant in their respective communities.

The Support Center has incorporated these issues into its 3-year strategic plan. The strategies encourage collaborative and premeditative approaches to hurdling these challenges. The organization is developing an advocacy platform to publish position papers to spotlight critical issues impacting CDCUs communities.

Through its actions and commitment to see people's lives improve, The Support Center will continue to affirm itself as a top-of-mind resource for positive change and wealth creation in North Carolina. Most importantly, it will add value to and lead the CDCU field to help CDCUs remain relevant and uphold their role of being home grown institutions that successfully help people achieve financial self-sufficiency and sustainability.

The Support Center is in an advantageous position to articulate statewide their commitment to see people's lives improve. Through its programmatic, legislative and marketing efforts, The Support Center works to help people become more economically successful. It inserts itself into issues that affect LMI community life. By speaking out on matters that are critical to financial consumerism and encouraging an open dialog on emerging issues, The Support Center asserts good public policy to ensure that no member of society is financially disenfranchised. 

- Maurice Smith, Chairman

Support Center Youth Advocacy
Young people are ideal members for CDCUs.  Their function has equipped them with the right combination of experience, skills and sense of humanity to provide young people with sensible and sound financial management tools. Collaborating with our CDCUs and partnering with schools to promote youth financial education, The Support Center’s helps CDCUs create lasting and rewarding relationships that benefit them well into their adult lives. To accomplish this, The Support Center, in conjunction with its partners…

	provides age appropriate curriculum and resources
	participates in outreach with local schools and community-based youth organizations
	establishes youth savings clubs

By attracting them early, we ensure that they get a head start on establishing a sound foundation in order to build personal wealth.  The Support Center resources include curriculum from the National Endowment for Financial Education and Creative Wealth International's Camp Millionaire ™ program. 

The Support Center has partnered with Local Government Federal Credit Union to provide the youngest of members access to Penny Hollow.  Penny Hollow provides children with fun activities that help them learn basic money management skills. Credit Union youth members can also download a copy of The Support Center's new youth newsletter, "the Rainy Day Reporter". 

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