Resilient Financial Futures: An Immersive Visit to OnPath Credit Union

Tuesday, May 11
9:00am - 11:00am 

This site visit will be offered in English and Spanish.

Join us for an immersive visit to OnPath Credit Union, where financial inclusion, affordable housing, and community resilience come together to create pathways to economic opportunity across Southeast Louisiana.

The experience begins with a scenic journey from downtown New Orleans, passing iconic landmarks including the French Quarter, Caesars New Orleans, the Convention Center, the Superdome, and the Crescent City Connection, one of the nation's most recognizable bridges spanning the Mississippi River.

At OnPath's Lapalco Branch in Harvey, participants will learn how this certified CDFI and Louisiana's largest credit union commercial lender expands access to affordable financial services, business capital, and financial coaching for underserved communities. As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, OnPath also partners with organizations such as El Centro and the Hispanic Chamber of Louisiana to serve Latino and immigrant families through culturally responsive programs that foster financial inclusion and long-term stability.

Community partners Rebuilding Together New Orleans and New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity will highlight collaborative efforts to address housing affordability and resilience, including the installation of FORTIFIED Roofs that can withstand winds of up to 150 mph while helping homeowners significantly reduce insurance costs.

The visit also includes an opportunity to see Rising Oaks, Habitat for Humanity's transformative new neighborhood in Terrytown, located just minutes from OnPath. Built on the former Plantation Golf & Country Club site, the development will feature approximately 150 affordable homes, dedicated senior housing, green space, walking trails, and stormwater management features. Every home is being constructed to the FORTIFIED Gold standard, demonstrating how resilient design, affordable homeownership, and community investment can work together to build stronger futures for working families.

The experience concludes with the OnPath Foundation, sharing the impact it makes in the community through grants, donations and partnerships throughout Southeast Louisiana, creating lasting pathways to economic mobility and generational wealth.

Sign up is included as an option within registration. 

Two CDCUs, One Mission: Financial Empowerment Across New Orleans

Thursday, May 13
2:00pm - 5:00pm 

This site visit will be offered in English.

During this site visit, we will experience firsthand how two nationally recognized community development credit unions, New Orleans Firemen's Federal Credit Union (NOFFCU) and HOPE Credit Union, are advancing financial inclusion, expanding access to economic opportunity, and strengthening pathways to prosperity for underserved communities across New Orleans. 

Participants will see how NOFFCU leverages its expertise as a mission-driven financial institution through innovative partnerships, including its collaboration with the Financial Empowerment Center. This integrated approach helps remove barriers to financial inclusion, increases access to responsible financial products and services, and equips individuals and families with the tools they need to build financial stability and achieve long-term financial well-being. 

We will also explore the creative partnerships NOFFCU has developed to address one of the most significant barriers to homeownership: the down payment. Through collaborative housing initiatives and innovative financing strategies, NOFFCU is helping more families realize the dream of homeownership while expanding access to affordable housing opportunities throughout the region. 

The visit will include an immersive experience at the André Cailloux Center for Performing Arts and Cultural Justice (ACC), where participants will learn how community organizations and financial institutions are working together to support New Orleans' rich cultural and artistic heritage. Named in honor of Captain André Cailloux and the approximately 1,800 men of color who were among the first Black soldiers to fight for the Union Army during the Civil War, the ACC serves as both a cultural institution and a catalyst for social justice. Guests will experience a live Indian Mardi Gras performance and discover how arts, culture, and community development intersect to strengthen neighborhoods and preserve local traditions. 

We will also highlight HOPE Credit Union's transformative work in New Orleans and across the Deep South, where it is expanding economic opportunity through affordable housing, small business financing, and community development investments. HOPE plays a critical role in preserving and creating affordable housing opportunities, helping families remain rooted in their communities while building pathways to homeownership. Through flexible lending and relationship-based banking, HOPE provides entrepreneurs and small business owners with access to the capital needed to grow, create jobs, and strengthen local economies. HOPE also supports returning citizens through partnerships and financial services that help remove barriers to economic stability and successful reentry. Through its racial equity lending and transformational deposit strategies, HOPE demonstrates how mission-driven capital can close wealth gaps, strengthen communities, and create lasting impact. 

Together, NOFFCU and HOPE Credit Union illustrate what community development finance looks like in action: meeting people where they are, advancing financial dignity, preserving cultural heritage, and transforming generational barriers into pathways for lasting community wealth and prosperity. 

Sign up is included as an option within registration.