Kindred Credit Union

Our long partnership with the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement (Conrad Grebel University College) is a natural extension of who we are, as evidenced by our purpose: cooperative banking that connects values and faith with finances, inspiring peaceful, just, and prosperous communities.

We're so pleased to have been on this journey with you from the beginning. We're thrilled to bear witness to the Centre's impact on local and global communities, and excited about your continued influence in the peacebuilding space. Our very best wishes on this special occasion!

Congratulations on ten years of innovative and collaborative peacemaking!

Today is International Day of Peace (“Peace Day”) - something observed around the world each year on 21 September!

Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace. This year's theme is "Cultivating a Culture of Peace", noting that peace is “not only is the absence of conflict, but also requires a positive, dynamic participatory process where dialogue is encouraged and conflicts are solved in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation.”

Learn more about by visiting https://rb.gy/ut5d4k or contemplate what peace means to you. 🕊️

Have you heard about our Member Assistance Services? MAS is a unique program that responds to needs within our communities and promotes sharing and acts of compassion. MAS combines our commitment to mutual aid with the resources of a vibrant credit union to provide our members with the opportunity to both offer and access financial assistance in times of need and in times of plenty! Learn more about MAS by visiting https://tinyurl.com/3446952b

Member Assistance Services Member Assistance Services (MAS) combines our commitment to mutual aid with the resources of a vibrant credit union. The result is a unique program that responds to needs within our communities and promotes sharing and acts of compassion.

Let's take a moment to highlight our first hired employee, back in March 1969: Irmgarde! Working alongside her was Alice as an office receptionist in a volunteer capacity.

Tonight is the Soiree at UNI-FAB's new offices, hosted by MEDA's Leamington Network Hub and Abe, Lisa, Mary and David Fehr!

During this event, Mary will share how their family business has grown and evolved over the years and highlight the unique challenges and opportunities that have presented themselves throughout her first year as President of UNI-FAB. Also, Dean Shoemaker, Senior Development Officer at MEDA, will share some updates on MEDA’s project in Guatemala which is supporting 5,000 entrepreneurs with business training, access to capital and new markets.

Have a wonderful evening!

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MEDA, in partnership with Kindred Credit Union, work together to host Women Empowering Women events. The goal of these events is to create a dedicated, professional, and giving group that brings women together to learn, encourage, advocate, and give back by supporting MEDA’s mission to create business solutions to poverty.

On Saturday, September 7, Kate, Manager, Social Impact (last in photo), attended alongside Dean, Nancy, Linda, Shirley, Lynn, and Beth (pictured L to R).

Anyone wishing to learn more, or to attend future WEW events, can visit https://tinyurl.com/4fr7wbef

Calling all golf enthusiasts, amateurs, and wanna-be caddies -- You're invited to join PeopleCare Communities on Sept 19, 2024 at the beautiful Grey Silo Golf Club for a fantastic golf fundraiser featuring a 9-hole best ball format, exciting contests, a delicious breakfast and luncheon, vibrant cocktail party, silent auction and loads of amazing prizes.

Feel good about your golf game knowing that all proceeds go towards MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates), an organization dedicated to alleviating poverty around the world. You can register as an individual or group by visiting https://bit.ly/3XoBgEs

No one expected the sharp increase in inflation back in 2022, or that it would continue to sharply rise that summer. As a result, houses are difficult for Ontarians to purchase! And while there are several government programs and incentives to help, it still might not be enough. However, you can still own a home – with creative solutions!

One of those solutions could be Kindred’s HomeShare Mortgage™ – a joint mortgage that can provide more affordability by pooling resources together to buy a home that is owned by two or more parties! Learn about Kindred's HomeShare Mortgage™ by visiting https://tinyurl.com/23c5czr6

What is Co-Ownership Housing? A Co-Ownership Mortgage is a joint mortgage that allows multi-generational families or a group of friends to buy a home together - making home ownership more attainable.

You have places you'd like to go. Getting there starts here, with Kindred Credit Union!

Whether it's buying your first home, saving for a child’s education, or planning for retirement, you have places you’d like to go - we’ll help you get there.

Meet with a member of our Wealth and Investment team today for investing advice with values at the core. Visit https://tinyurl.com/4hcz4s4k to learn more!

Kindred Credit Union Kindred is a member-owned financial cooperative offering full-service banking solutions to Ontarians.

Are you hungry to hear a story of resilience, courage, and entrepreneurship? MEDA's Waterloo Network Hub is hosting an inspiring breakfast event at 7:30am on September 19.

Vanh Kalong, a Laotian refugee, speaks of her journey fleeing her home country to become a successful entrepreneur. As the founder of My Thai Restaurants, an award-winning Thai restaurant brand with locations across Ancaster, Brantford, Cambridge, Paris, and soon Waterloo, Vanh has built a successful business that reflects her passion to live an impactful and purposeful life. Since founding her business in 2001, she has not only achieved financial success but also dedicated herself to giving back, helping others along the way.

RSVP to the event by visiting https://bit.ly/3AVDPpM

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Do you have plans next weekend? Join Family Central in Aylmer for their third annual Journey for Change! Whether you choose to walk, run or cycle the 4, 12, 22 or 32km route, all money raised will be helping the most vulnerable in our community access resources to immediate needs, as well as long-term solutions.

Sign up at https://bit.ly/3MEgSKD

MEDA's Leamington Network Hub and Abe, Lisa, Mary and David Fehr invite you to join them for a fun evening out on Wednesday, September 18th at UNI-FAB's new offices.

During the event, Mary will share how their family business has grown and evolved over the years and highlight the unique challenges and opportunities that have presented themselves throughout her first year as President of UNI-FAB. Also, Dean Shoemaker, Senior Development Officer at MEDA, will share some updates on MEDA’s project in Guatemala which is supporting 5,000 entrepreneurs with business training, access to capital and new markets.

The event is free to attend - visit https://bit.ly/3Tn2wSk to RSVP by Saturday, September 14.

-FABManufacturing

Did you know that our AGMs are themed? Around 1982, our AGMs and Annual Reports started implementing themes - mostly based around our values and purpose. Here's an example of our 1994 Annual Report and theme, "Invest in the Best"!

Did you know that, in 2019, the Canadian Parliament declared the second week in September to be Mennonite Heritage Week?

Our financial cooperative began when 22 Mennonites got together and deposited $22 in a cash box with the idea of creating a credit union to serve members of their faith community. This group of Mennonites was actively looking for ways to take the lessons they learned on Sundays – about following Jesus’ example of love, compassion, grace, community, sacrifice, and non-violence – and live them out during the rest of the week – applying their Anabaptist values to the practical ways they carried out business in the broader society.

means a lot to us. We are rooted in our founders’ radical vision to see mutual aid put into faithful practice – individuals or groups bearing one another’s burdens, helping each other out in times of need and in times of plenty.

You can learn more about Mennonite Heritage Week by visiting https://bit.ly/3XgmZcO

Check out our Share Newsletter for today's ! Share has been one of the many ways we communicate with our members. While our newsletter has gone through some changes over the years, its still a great way for us to share important updates, news, events, and expert tips with our members.

You can receive a copy in the mail, in branch, via email, or read Share on our blog: https://bit.ly/47a7Xdn

Sign up to receive it direct to your email box at https://tinyurl.com/3ye7d3ar or email [email protected] if you'd like to receive a printed copy in your mailbox.

Today is the start of the New Hamburg Fall Fair! Did you know that the New Hamburg Fall Fair is run by the Wilmot Agricultural Society? The Wilmot Agricultural Society is a 150+ year old organization founded in the strong agricultural and community roots of Wilmot Township.

We have a long history of agricultural roots as well - many of our Kindred Credit Union teammates grew up on, have worked, or even own their own farms! Our 60 years of experience includes agricultural banking, investing, and a unique outlook that makes us "outstanding in our field"!

Will you be attending? Don't miss out on this event! Learn more, including a schedule of events, by visiting https://rb.gy/yppoap!

It's the last day of Canada's Outdoor Farm Show - have you come by to visit the Kindred Credit Union booth at AB-14 in the Biz Pavillion? Have you had the opportunity to check out some amazing vendors, demonstrations, and exhibitors? Come say hi!

Kindred Credit Union is pleased to continue our relationship with the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement at Conrad Grebel University College!

Today, John Klassen, Jason Daly, Marcus Shantz, and Paul Heidebrecht (pictured L to R) reaffirmed Kindred’s commitment to support the Centre’s core operations. Kindred and the Centre for Peace Advancement create connections and deepen community impact, by partnering on projects, including the Peace Innovators Scholarship and Mentoring Program. Together we continue to advance collaborative, inter-disciplinary, and multi-sector approaches to peacemaking.

Learn more about The Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement by visiting https://bit.ly/3Zi5qLZ

The basic structure of the Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) has been around since the 1970s! They allow for tax-free savings and investment growth to help pay for post-secondary education, and since the 1990s have been supplemented by a range of government support programs.

Register for a complimentary webinar to further your financial journey on RESPs, for today at 12pm or 3pm! Your financial journey is important to us! https://bit.ly/40Naw18

On September 5, Sheryl, Branch Manager, Waterloo, and Danielle, Senior Personal Lending Specialist, Waterloo, from Kindred Credit Union attended the Foundation for International Development Assistance's 40 Years of Impact event at Niagara-on-the-Lake.

FIDA is a registered charitable organization in Canada and the United States that has actively been promoting the productive agricultural cooperative model in Haiti since 1984. Their founding principles were guided by a vision of addressing the root issues of poverty; to foster an environment of economic productivity appropriate to rural communities.

Learn more about FIDA and their work by visiting https://bit.ly/47jSXcS

Last week, our Kindred Credit Union team members were at Waterloo Fest 2024!

Waterloo Fest introduces new post-secondary students to the Waterloo community. The event features live entertainment, food trucks, local restaurants, and booths showcasing local organizations, services, and businesses. It’s a fun opportunity for students to come to Uptown Waterloo and learn about great things in Waterloo -- or join a values-centred credit union!

Safe to say, Kindred had a lot of fun engaging with the community - the pics speak for themselves!

Come visit us at Canada's Outdoor Farm Show this week in Woodstock! We'll be at booth AB-14 in the Ag Biz Pavillion - try your hand at our Plinko board, ask how we can help you make peace with your money, and gain some expert financial advice!

The Outdoor Farm Show is the place to be, with a 100-acre+ showcase of live demonstrations featuring ag equipment, a variety of crops, livestock products and much more! Don't miss out! 👨‍🌾🐄

Visit https://tinyurl.com/mscy9bsp to learn more!

Canada's Outdoor Farm Show 2024, Woodstock Ontario Canada's Outdoor Farm Show returns to Woodstock, Ontario, on September 10-12, 2024. Find the schedule, venue details, exhibitor information, and more.

This month, Mennonite Central Committee - MCC ON podcast Undercurrents invited Adrian Jacobs from the Cayuga Nation, Six Nations Haudenosaunee Confederacy to share the beautiful and challenging opportunity for the Church to make real steps towards reconciliation on episode 27, "Spiritual Covenant with Adrian Jacbos".

Listen to the podcast by visiting https://bit.ly/4dP2x9R

Ep 27 - Spiritual Covenant with Adrian Jacobs by UNDERCURRENTS "I was looking for justice, tangible justice. I was looking for something that said, 'We're not just going to repent. We're not just going to be sorry. We're going to do something and here it is.'" With great patience and grace, Adrian Jacobs from the Cayuga Nation, Six Nations Haudenosaunee Confede...

Did you know the CU Succeed Youth Bursary was established in 2016 by the Ontario Credit Union Foundation? Over the past eight years, they've awarded $636,000 to 494 students. And for 2024, two Kindred Credit Union members were recipients. Congratulations to Javin and Hannah!

Learn more about the CU Succeed Youth Bursary by visiting https://ocuf.org/bursary/