Assistance League Puts the Power Of Purchasing Into Students' Hands

Here’s how the Assistance League of SLO's clothing program works: Schools, homeless shelters and social workers throughout the county reach out to the nonprofit when they identify a student in need. Volunteers from the Assistance League make arrangements to meet the student at the local Kohl’s or Old Navy — stores that have agreed to provide special discounts to help the students get the most out of their funds. The Assistance League provides the students with a budget of $120 for kindergarten through elementary age, and $185 for middle and high school students.

These Wheels Carry Much More Than Meals

Meals on Wheels in Santa Maria builds relationships with its clients. And, sometimes, that care and concern for the folks they serve turns into life-saving interventions that, while often simple, can't be found anywhere else.

Another Great Deed Update: 20 Deeds Down

We had our birthday last August, and instead of asking for gifts, we pledged to give back all year long as a thank you to our members and community. We call it our “Another great deed” campaign — a pledge to do 60 great deeds in celebration of 60 years of CoastHills. And we’ve been on a roll. We recently reported our first 10 deeds, and we’re excited to return with 10 more with a touch of holiday spice. Check out the details below, and stay tuned to follow our progress.

HomeShare SLO Matches Roomates To Help Solve Issue Of Affordable Housing

Affordable housing is a hot topic across the Central Coast, but especially in San Luis Obispo County where the average monthly rent for a studio or one-bedroom apartment can run well over $1,000. And even for those who own their homes outright, the costs of utilities, taxes, and general upkeep can run a similar tab. It’s easy to do the math and see how this is a serious problem for people with limited income.

Lights, Camera, Donation! 'All In' Program Helps Fund LHS Drama

For most people looking back, it’s the extracurricular activities — whether it’s drama, music, art, or sports — that leave a lasting impact. But these activities wouldn’t exist without a driving force behind them — a passionate mentor willing to go above and beyond to share these opportunities with their students.

When It Comes To Serving Food, People's Kitchen Is The Portrait Of Dedication

Every day for the last 26 years — nearly 9,500 consecutive days — volunteers for the People’s Kitchen have opened their doors in Grover Beach to their neighbors. While the faces and location have changed over time, the goal remains the same. Members from the community come together to donate their time and resources to provide a hot lunch for any and all who come through their doors, no questions asked.

APA Helps People So They Don't Have To Throw Their Prescriptions Away

A doctor in Santa Maria noticed that many patients were quietly tossing their prescriptions in the trash on their way out — not because they didn’t need the treatment, but because they knew they had no hope of affording the medication. This lead to the formation of The Alliance For Pharmaceutical Access (APA) in 2004. APA is a nonprofit organization working to support the health of the uninsured and underinsured in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties by promoting pharmaceutical accessibility.

VIDEO: CoastHills CEO on Helping Members Hurt By Government Shutdown

CoastHills Credit Union CEO Paul Cook sat down with Mike Lawson of CU Broadcast for an interview on the assistance policies CoastHills recently approved to help members whose livelihood is being affected by the Federal government shutdown.

Veterans Program Provides Home Focused On Peer Support

CAPSLO Is In Need Of Landlords Willing To Give A Chance To Homeless Veterans

CAPSLO works with property owners and managers to not only re-house homeless veterans but to also keep them in those homes with financial assistance programs, training, landlord-tenant mediation and much more. The organization has a six-week training course that certifies its clients are committed and prepared to be responsible renters, despite what past credit history or personal background checks may reveal.

10 Great Deeds Down; 50 More To Go

Back in August, CoastHills Credit Union celebrated its 60th birthday. But then we thought, “Why stop celebrating? Let’s keep the thanking our members and the community all year long.” That’s when “Another great deed” was born. It’s a giving campaign where the Credit Union pledged to do 60 great deeds throughout the year to help celebrate our diamond anniversary. Since then, we’ve been hard at work making sure to follow through on that pledge. Click below to find details about the first 10 deeds, and between now and next August, we’ll have 50 more to come.

60 Years Deserves 60 Great Deeds

From now until our next birthday in August, CoastHills Credit Union has planned out 60 acts of kindness to honor 60 years of making a difference in our neighbors’ lives. We’re calling it “Another great deed.”

Employee giving program pours in $3,000 to local child care and educational causes

For working parents with young children, one of the most crucial aspects of their life is child care, which makes it no surprise that many of the participants in CoastHills’s employee giving program — “I’m All In” — choose to support educational and child-care themed causes.

UPDATE: CoastHills donation-matching program seeks to provide $100,000 for Lompoc Track & Field Project

For every dollar donated to the Lompoc Track and Field Project at a CoastHills branch, through the Credit Union’s online portal or by phone at (800) 262-4488, CoastHills will match up to $25,000 in accumulated donations. And now, an anonymous foundation has come forward to pledge to double our grand total.

For some with disabilities, there's nothing like horseback riding therapy

The CoastHills Community Action Committee delivered a $500 sponsorship to Santa Ynez Therapeutic Riding Program. Therapeutic horseback riding, or equine-assisted therapy, has gained momentum as a modern tool for treating a wide range of physical and mental health issues.

See long lost Hollywood history only at local Dunes Center

Nestled in a small Victorian house at the north end of Guadalupe, the nonprofit Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center museum is lead by community members with a serious passion for the unique geological and ecological landmark, including some legendary artifacts from the early days of film.

When something as simple as shoes stop students from going to school, they step in

A misconception about kids who miss school is that families are choosing not to educate their children, but often times, it’s poverty rather than apathy for learning that gets in the way. That's where Shoes for Students steps in, and CoastHills Credit Union is proud to sponsor such a dedicated cause that's been making a difference in our neighbors' lives for 20 years.

With healthy recipes and cooking demos, local Food Bank is helping people eat better

The Food Bank of Santa Barbara County isn't just providing food for community members, the organization is also making sure folks are armed with healthy recipes and cooking techniques to help make sure that more families are eating right.

As threat of human trafficking grows, so does Pathway's foster care challenge

Santa Maria is a growing hub for human trafficking, and teen girls are at the highest risk for sexual exploitation. Pathway Family Services is helping to support foster children, including human trafficking victims, through its foster care and adoption services. The organization is the latest recipient of a grant from the CoastHills Credit Union employee giving program, "I'm All In."

Parents need child care, and those child care organizations need your help

All around the Central Coast, there's a shortage of low-cost child care options. Local organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs and YMCA do great work meeting the need, and they need help. Since the start of 2017, CoastHills Credit Union has given $16,600 to help support child care programs through corporate sponsorships, the Credit Union’s employee giving program and the Community Action Committee. And there is still more we can all do to make a difference.