PenFed Credit Union, the nation’s second largest federal credit union, and Rise, a nonprofit providing services in the Hightstown/East Windsor area, announced a new partnership to support the local community through an experiential tool designed to help reduce COVID-19 related anxieties.
PenFed’s $100,000 investment will help create “U Rise Powered by PenFed,” an experiential tool by which the Rise community can reframe their COVID-19 related anxiety, loss of purpose and hopelessness into personal growth, strength and optimism, according to information provided by the Pinkston firm.
“PenFed is proud to support the Hightstown and East Windsor communities,” PenFed President/CEO and PenFed Foundation CEO James Schenck said in the statement. “PenFed was founded on the credit union mission of people helping people. We understand this has been a challenging year for many. Rise shares in our mission and together we can provide meaningful support and help uplift and strengthen our communities.”
U Rise Powered by PenFed will take the shape of an online portal, currently under development by Human Experience Systems, and will act as a gateway to a multitude of curated local content, according to the statement. From connecting with community, managing well-being and mindfulness, and acquiring new skills and knowledge, U Rise will serve to engage, lift and inspire the community.
Online content will be sourced by creating new content, re-purposing existing content, and by aggregating content via partnerships with local corporations, small businesses, organizations and experienced individuals. While many of the virtual programs will lead to in-person programming as appropriate, much of the online content will continue to be refreshed and remain relevant, according to the statement.
“U Rise will both inspire end-users and celebrate our community collaborators,” Leslie Koppel, executive director of Rise, said in the statement. “Thanks to the generous investment by PenFed Credit Union, many in our common community will feel more hopeful and confident about their families and their futures as we emerge from the trying times of this pandemic, determined to move forward.”
