Students Engage with Honor Credit Union’s Community Connection Center
Contact: Jillian Fraze
January 6, 2025
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University’s macro social work class, SWRK 4010 Task Groups and Organizations, visited Honor Credit Union’s Community Connection Center in downtown Kalamazoo for a dynamic and educational experience. The visit aligned with the course’s overarching goal: to explore the intricate relationships between task groups, organizations and the role of social workers within them.
Honor Credit Union: A Model of Community Engagement
Honor Credit Union exemplifies its mission of personalized service, competitive rates and deep community commitment through impactful initiatives:
- Financial Education: In 2023, Honor delivered nearly 100 free financial education presentations, counseled over 100 individuals and facilitated 56,000 training modules through its financial education, promoting financial literacy (especially with high school students).
- Community Support: Honor contributed over $734,000 to nearly 700 organizations, including $28,000 in scholarships to foster education and development.
- Volunteerism: More than 450 team members volunteered across six regions on October 14, 2024, supporting over 50 local organizations.
Voices of Collaboration
Instructor Christopher Hodshire praised the center’s innovative approach, stating, "The Honor Connection Center in downtown Kalamazoo feels more like a community center hub than a traditional business. They create an environment where everyone is welcome, fostering genuine connections. Their personalized service sets them apart, making you feel like part of the Honor family."
During the visit, several Honor leaders shared their insights:
- Dan Carpenter, Connection Center Team Leader: Highlighted the center’s mission and its commitment to going above and beyond for the community.
- Justin Tabanguil, Connection Center Member Center Manager: Shared compelling stories that underscored the center’s impact.
- Thomas Hatfield, Community Development Officer: Discussed the complexities of task group logistics and the collaborative efforts required to coordinate services.
- Mark Hancock: Spoke on overcoming challenges, achieving outcomes, and the importance of teamwork.
- Caitlyn Armstrong, Connection Center Member Specialist: Addressed unique circumstances and tailored support.
Hodshire added, "We are grateful for the exceptional hospitality shown by Dan, Justin, Thomas, Mark, and Caitlyn. Their willingness to accommodate our class outside of regular business hours demonstrates their dedication to service and education. The students gained invaluable insights into task group dynamics, challenges and rewards. This visit was impactful, and we look forward to continuing this partnership in the future with Honor."
The students’ overwhelmingly positive feedback from previous visits solidifies the connection with Honor Credit Union as a cornerstone of this course.
For more information on Honor Credit Union’s community initiatives, visit https://www.honorcu.com/locations/kalamazoo-connect-center/