February 11, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Diana Pando

312-498-4067CELL / 312-880-1140

[email protected]

www.resurrectionproject.org

Congressman Luis Gutierrez Joins The Resurrection Project and Second Federal Credit Union for Launch of New Initiative to Remove Economic Barriers To Citizenship

Chicago, IL – Families struggling to pay for expensive citizenship applications will get some relief this month because Second Federal Credit Union (SFCU) and The Resurrection Project (TRP) will unveil a new loan product for families that want to apply for citizenship but don’t have the financial means to do so. In Illinois there are approximately 351,000 Legal Permanent Residents eligible to apply to become naturalized U.S. citizens. At this time Second Federal Credit Union is the only banking institution offering this product Illinois. Speakers include: Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez and Alderman Daniel Solis (25th Ward).

We invite the media to the launch of this community service that will take place on:

Saturday, February 15 – 10:00AM press conference followed by citizenship workshops

 @ St. Pius Parish located at 1919 South Ashland, Chicago, IL 60608.

This new financial citizenship initiative is also in partnership by the National Council of La Raza and is part of their Citizenship Savings and Loan Pilot Program.

“We’re proud to be working with The Resurrection Project on this initiative. Second Federal Credit Union’s citizenship loan will be an important tool in removing the economic barrier to citizenship and helping many immigrant families realize full integration” says Rudy Medina, President of Second Federal Credit Union.

Last year, SFCU introduced an innovative DREAMer Loan, a $465 loan to young immigrants to finance their visa applications for the federal government’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) program. Additionally, TRP will provide financial coaching in conjunction with the loan to assist people even further in achieving their financial goals. 

Erendira Rendon from TRP says “The Resurrection Project’s commitment to families trying to apply for citizenship continues and by working with Second Federal Credit Union we will be able to help them on their path to citizenship through innovative financial products that remove financial obstacles that keep them from starting the application process.”

Attending the launch of this program will be families, community leaders, and dignitaries coming together to celebrate this new initiative that will help people get one step closer to achieving citizenship. When individuals stabilize their status and keep their families together, they enrich the communities they live in and strengthen local and national economies. 

Recent data published by the Bipartisan Policy Center reported, “Immigration reform would create 105,923 jobs in Illinois and boost the state’s economic output by $1.8 billion.” The data also states immigration reform would contribute to the nation’s economy, growing it “4.8 percent over the next 20 years and reducing the deficit by $1.2 trillion.”

 Second Federal Credit Union is a community credit union dedicated to promoting fair and responsible financial services for everyone. Through products, like checking, savings, and affordable mortgages, we support the economic advancement of those we serve.

 The Resurrection Project Since 1990, The Resurrection Project (TRP) has revitalized predominantly low-income Latino communities on Chicago’s Southwest side through a variety of community development strategies. The organization started with $30,000 in seed capital collected from concerned neighbors and area churches.TRP has leveraged the $30,000 into $315 million in community investments and wealth preserved, and has impact 30,000 individuals, created nearly 600 affordable homes, created more than 180,000 square ft. of community facilities

Photos Available Upon Request

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