Local financial institution teams up with local church to provide free financial wellness workshop for community members
LOCKPORT, Ill. – On Saturday, November 23, employees of NuMark Credit Union (NuMark)
headed to Shiloh Baptist Church in Lockport, Illinois to help Pastor Wendell Martin from Mt.
Olive Baptist Church (Mt. Olive) with facilitating the Legacy Builders Financial Empowerment
Workshop. The idea for the workshop was created when Pastor Martin saw an opportunity to
help educate and lift-up his community members financially.
This first ever workshop event was made free and open to the whole community. Its purpose
was for those who attended to learn about financial wellness and how they can reduce their
financial stress to allow them the freedom to make more choices with their money. It also was
open to the younger generation of these attendees and had workshops designed to teach kids
about saving, budgeting, and creating healthy financial habits for their futures.
The workshop kicked off with the keynote speech from Talaat and Tai McNeely of His and Her
Money, before breaking out into individual small group workshops. The small groups were a
prime opportunity for the volunteers to get more involved with the attendees, who were eager to
learn. Even children as young as Pre-K enjoyed the Moon Jar activity, designed to teach young
kids about when to spend, save, and share their money. The event was a huge help to the
attendees and the beginning of a longtime partnership between Mt. Olive Baptist Church and
NuMark.
“I believe the most impactful part of the Legacy Builders Financial Empowerment Workshop was
that it not only introduced many attendees to a new mindset about financial freedom, but also
provided practical strategies to implement those changes,” Rev. Martin said about the
workshop. “The guest speakers, Talaat and Tai McNeely, were absolutely phenomenal, and the
workshops provided by NuMark Credit Union were exceptional!”
Rev. Martin has been the Senior Pastor at Mt. Olive since 2018, and during his time has
advocated for building economic equality and is passionate about improving the community. It’s
that passion and his continued campaigning that has allowed Rev. Martin to greatly increase the
financial health of the church and its members during his time as Senior Pastor.
As a credit union, NuMark shares that same passion for community outreach and development
and values any opportunity to help community members improve their financial health. The staff
members that volunteered at the workshop had the opportunity to assist attendees with their
expertise in a variety of areas, including loan and mortgage experts.
“With the workshops that were provided by NuMark Credit Union and the partnership of Mt.
Olive Church, I believe that we’re on the right path to equip individuals with the knowledge and
tools to build a strong financial foundation,” said Laurie Veasy, NuMark volunteer and Vice
President of Lending. “This was the first time I’ve been to a workshop where the attendees were so engaged. The guest speakers, Talaat and Tai McNeely, were amazing, and I believe that the
community is better because of this workshop. I’m absolutely looking forward to the next event!”
NuMark is greatly appreciative of Rev. Martin for reaching out and providing the opportunity for
NuMark staff members to lend their time helping with the Legacy Builders Financial Wellness
Workshop. They’re greatly looking forward to working with Rev. Martin and the Mt. Olive staff in
the future to continue providing more of these free empowerment workshops for their
communities.
For more information on Mt. Olive Baptist Church, please visit www.mtolivejoliet.org. To learn
more about NuMark Credit Union and their products and services, visit www.numarkcu.org.
About NuMark Credit Union
NuMark Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative that has been serving those who
live or work in Northeastern Illinois and Northwest Indiana for 70 years. See NuMark Credit
Union for auto loans, mortgages, checking accounts, business services and more.
Find NuMark on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn
For more information call (815) 729-3211 or visit numarkcu.org.
About Mt. Olive Baptist Church
Founded in 1909, Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church of Joliet is dedicated to making
disciples so that all may know Jesus Christ. Guided by its vision to be a place where
people can freely worship God, connect with an authentic community of believers,
spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, impact the community, and fervently study the Word
of God, Mt. Olive continues to serve as a beacon of hope and transformation. Known for
its commitment to love God, love people, and prove it, the church actively engages in
initiatives that uplift the spiritual, social, and financial well-being of the community. Learn
more at www.mtolivejoliet.org.
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