Hope Community Credit Union Receives Gloria Brown Award
Contact: Scot Slay
Office: (601) 944-4175
Email: sslay@ecd.org
Episcopal Network for Economic Justice Honors HOPE for
Long-Term Commitment to Mid South Communities
Jackson, MS – Hope Community Credit Union (HOPE) is the 2009 recipient of the Gloria Brown Award in recognition of its work in extending economic opportunities to individuals and communities in the Mid South. The award is given each year to an outstanding faith-based project by the Episcopal Network for Economic Justice (ENEJ).
Established in 2003 to honor the late Gloria Brown, the award is given for work done as part of an outstanding faith-based economic justice project. Brown worked tirelessly to establish credit unions and other grassroots economic and social justice programs throughout the United States as the director of the Episcopal Church’s Coalition for Human Needs.
“During these difficult financial times, communities in economically distressed areas are the hardest hit, and there is still a tremendous need,” said Rev. Carol Borne Stewart. “We are pleased to honor those continually working to make a difference.”
HOPE’s mission is to strengthen communities, build assets and improve lives in economically distressed areas of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. Since 1994, HOPE and its nonprofit sponsor, Enterprise Corporation of the Delta, have assisted more than 40,000 individuals and generated over $1 billion in financing for entrepreneurs, homebuyers and community development projects.
In presenting the award, the ENEJ called specific attention to HOPE’s work on the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina. After the storm, HOPE established an office in Biloxi and expanded its New Orleans branch in order to provide financial and technical assistance to help thousands of residents rebuild their lives.
“Support from the Episcopal Church and its membership has been vital to HOPE’s efforts in the Delta,” said Bill Bynum, chief executive officer of ECD/HOPE. “It is humbling to have our work recognized by a group with such a strong commitment to equity and economic justice.“
The award was presented in February during the Episcopal Network for Economic Justice and Episcopal Urban Caucus Assembly.
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