Sacramento-Area CUs Help Save Elder Program

SAFE Credit Union reported that it helped spearhead an effort by several local credit unions to save state elder abuse programs from budget cuts.

Because of the coalition's efforts, Sacramento County's Adult Protective Services will continue programs that support investigations of elder abuse, reversing plans to eliminate about 30% of funding for such programs. These efforts include support of "Take a Stand Against Elder Abuse," an organization dedicated to educating the public and raising funds for abuse prevention.

In order to keep the community well informed, "Take a Stand Against Elder Abuse" sponsors neighborhood functions and works with private organizations such as SAFE Credit Union. Earlier this year, SAFE Senior Loss Prevention Specialist Frank Rinaldi led an education and fundraising campaign that raised some $8,000 for the organization, $5,000 of which came from SAFE. In addition, SAFE also contributed about $1,500 to the "Centenarian Celebration" honoring Sacramento's 100-year-old individuals on June 12, which was also sponsored by "Take a Stand Against Elder Abuse."

In addition to SAFE, the coalition CUs included Sacramento Credit Union, First U.S. Community Credit Union, Capital Power Credit Union and Big Valley Credit Union.