Credit Union Foundation Gives Big to Nonprofit Supporting Vulnerable Women

North Carolina’s SECU Foundation announces a $600,000 challenge grant for Crittenton.

Holding check left to right are SECU Foundation Executive Director Jama Campbell, SECU Vice President Amanda Harper, SECU Foundation Board Member Barbara Perkins and former Crittenton CEO Diane Thompson with SECU representatives. (Credit/SECU Foundation)

The SECU Foundation, the charitable arm of the $54.5 billion, Raleigh, N.C.-based SECU, awarded a $600,000 challenge grant to Crittenton, a local nonprofit dedicated to serving vulnerable women, families and children in North Carolina, the Foundation announced Wednesday.

According to the announcement, the grant will help fund a capital campaign project to meet the current and future needs of Crittenton’s residential programs.

“We are grateful for our partnership with SECU Foundation and for this grant, which enables Crittenton to meet our capital campaign goal, purchase our facility, and expand our parking and recreation area,” Crittenton CEO Jada Charley said. “We will be able to continue serving girls and women from all counties in North Carolina in a beautiful and updated facility through programs to advance healthy outcomes and stability for the mothers and children we serve.”

Crittenton’s residential program, called Sarah’s House, provides housing and supportive services for mothers under the age of 21 who are in foster care and want to be placed together with their children within the foster care system.

The 120-year-old nonprofit also provides essential care services and comprehensive health, educational and social services programs to single adolescents, women, and mothers and their babies in the foster care system who are survivors of trauma such as abuse, neglect and poverty. So far, it has helped over 45,000 young mothers, teens and children in the Charlotte, N.C., area, according to the Foundation.

“The strength and deep commitment this organization continues to show for women and families in crisis is incredible,” SECU Foundation Executive Director Jama Campbell said. “We are inspired by their work and understand how vital their programs and services are to those who need their help. The Foundation’s grant and the support of so many others are ensuring Crittenton can continue their critical work for many years to come.”

This is the second large grant payout announced by the SECU Foundation in 2024 – on Jan. 30, it awarded a $2 million challenge grant to the Good Shepherd Center in Wilmington, N.C.