People’s Credit Union Leads 2nd Annual Day of Purpose. Employees donate time and talent to raise awareness of homelessness across Rhode Island

(September 24, 2025): To support those facing housing insecurity and homelessness in Rhode Island, People's Credit Union recently partnered with twelve nonprofit organizations across the state for their 2nd annual Day of Purpose. All People's branches, including the Member Service Center, were closed on Thursday, September 18th, for employees to volunteer over 500 hours of their time. Employees also held a clothing drive where over 400 pounds of women's, men's and children's clothing were collected.


"At People's Credit Union, being a catalyst for positive change means using our resources and expertise to make a meaningful difference," said Sean Daly, Head of People's Credit Union. "At our second annual Day of Purpose, our team members once again put purpose into action, collaborating with community organizations that are helping fellow Rhode Islanders who face the struggle of housing insecurity every day."


“We were delighted to be a partner site again this year for People’s Credit Union’s second Day of Purpose,” said Heather Hole Strout, Executive Director of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center. “We‘re proud to stand with our friends at People’s in working to be catalysts for positive change in our community.”


“The MAE Organization for the Homeless was honored to partner with People’s Credit Union for their Day of Purpose. The energy and dedication of the volunteers made a real impact in helping us serve Rhode Islanders experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. Collaborations like this remind us that when the community comes together, we can bring hope, dignity, and tangible support to our neighbors who need it most,” commented Tuni Schartner, Executive Director.


Partner organizations for People’s Credit Union’s 2025 Day of Purpose included:

Child & Family, Middletown - Volunteers conducted financial wellness workshops on basic banking, budgeting, and credit health for Child & Family clients who are participating in their Supportive Housing & Transitional Living programs. To learn more: Supportive Housing for Homeless Families - Child and Family.


Crossroads Rhode Island, Providence – Volunteers assisted with a pop-up shop to organize and distribute 3,450 essential items to Crossroads’ residents and shelter guests, creating a marketplace where clients can choose their own products. To learn more: Crossroads Rhode Island: Transitioning to a Low-Barrier Shelter That Focuses on Rapid Exits to Permanent Housing.


East Bay Community Action Program, Warren - At their East Bay Recovery Center location, volunteers helped host and serve a free community cookout for those facing the challenges of homelessness and housing instability. To learn more: East Bay Community Action Program- Coalition for the Homeless.
 
East Bay Community Action Program, Newport - Volunteers assisted in coordinating and organizing items for EBCAP’s clients, including putting together 100 care packages with personal hygiene items and cleaning supplies. Items for this activity were also collected at People’s branches during their Essentials Drive in August. To learn more: East Bay Community Action Program- Coalition for the Homeless
 
Haus of Codec, Providence - Volunteers helped to make updates to their Transitional Housing Facility by performing both indoor and outdoor maintenance activities that included power washing, window cleaning, painting, organizing resource pantries and clothing. To learn more: Haus of Codec Emergency Shelter & Transitional Housing
 
House of Hope CDC, Warwick - Volunteers helped with a fall clean-up at House of Hope’s Warwick location, which serves individuals and families who have been unhoused or have experienced homelessness. To learn more: House of Hope CDC.
 
Lucy’s Hearth, Middletown - Volunteers helped with various projects, both outside and inside Lucy’s Hearth’s 24-hour emergency and transitional shelter, including organizing 2,100 cans of food and 35 bins of clothes for their donation room. To learn more: Lucy's Hearth.
 
MAE Organization for the Homeless, Cranston - To support individuals and families in need of assistance, volunteers helped coordinate and organize over 100 pounds of clothing, 35 personalized “outfit bags” for those in need. To learn more: MAE Organization for the Homeless.
 
Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center (MLKCC), Newport - Participating in The Welcome Housetwo activities, volunteers created 100 kits of personal hygiene products, hats, gloves, and socks. Volunteers also helped serve lunch to 75 community members in need, providing nutritious meals to ensure they have access to a healthy meal and a friendly atmosphere. To learn more: Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center.


McKinney Shelter, Newport - Volunteers assisted in serving a hot, nutritious meal to 25 residents, as well as performing tasks to support the shelter’s upkeep. To learn more: McKinney Cooperative Shelter.
 
Newport Mental Health, Middletown - Volunteers assisted their Rhode Island Outreach (RIO) team in creating 121 care packages with nonperishable snacks, hygiene items, and socks for RIO to have on hand when they are out in the community engaging with 5 – 20 homeless community members every day. To learn more: Newport Mental Health RIO Program.
 
Thrive Behavioral Health, Providence & Warwick – To support Thrive’s homeless outreach team, volunteers put together 200 food snack packs to be distributed. Volunteers also helped sort and organize 500 items of donated clothing for Thrive’s year-round clothing closet. To learn more: Thrive Behavioral Health.
 
The Welcome House of South County, South Kingstown - Volunteers assisted with various indoor and outdoor projects at the shelter, including painting, installing kitchenette cabinetry, and cleanup of outdoor grounds. To learn more, visit The Welcome House.
People's Credit Union employees volunteering at their 2nd annual Day of Purpose.
ABOUT PEOPLE’S CREDIT UNION
Founded in 1922 and headquartered in Middletown, RI, People's Credit Union is a purpose-driven, member-owned, state-chartered, community credit union that serves as a catalyst for positive change in the community through its member engagement and community support. Known for its wide array of personal banking and business banking products & services, including personal, mortgage, and business lending, membership is open to all individuals. All deposits are insured up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an agency of the federal government. For more information, visit peoplescu.com.


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