SASCU Announces Awards Empowerment Grant Recipients
SALMON ARM (December 16, 2025) — The first recipients of SASCU Credit Union’s new Grant Program have been selected. The Empowerment Grant projects deliver impact on self-reliance, building skills, and creating long-term positive change in our region.
Shuswap Association of Community Living (SACL) receives $40,000 for enhancement and expansion of the Workday Warriors Program. The hiring of professional expertise will help take this part time undertaking to become a sustainable social enterprise that will ensure people with disabilities have long term access to meaningful jobs. This not only helps build the resilience of the individuals impacted but also helps fill gaps in the region’s workforce.
“The Workday Warriors social enterprise isn’t just about jobs—it’s about dignity, pride, and belonging,” said Karen Hansen, Executive Director of SACL.
“We know what’s possible when people are given the right supports, and this grant will allow more people with disabilities to earn a pay cheque, build confidence, and contribute to our community in meaningful ways,” added Hansen. “SASCU’s generous support once again demonstrates a strong commitment to strengthening our community, and we are truly grateful.”
Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce (the Chamber) receives $10,000 to bring capacity-building workshops to non-profit board members in the Shuswap area. By using their own depth of skills and by partnering with other professionals and service providers in Salmon Arm, workshops will be developed and delivered at no charge to participating non-profits. This project aims to strengthen the knowledge, skills, and confidence of volunteer board members, contributing to the resiliency of multiple non profit organizations.
“The Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce is grateful to SASCU for their support of this project, which is designed to build capacity and confidence among non-profit board members across our region,” said Christine Jontz-Barbour, Executive Director.
“By strengthening governance and leadership at the board level, this initiative will have a ripple effect that supports organizational resilience and, in turn, our broader business community. We’re excited to launch the workshop series in late spring 2026.”
“We were pleased to see such strong interest in the grant offering by community groups throughout the Shuswap,” said Community Engagement Committee Chair David Witt. “The projects put forward by SACL and the Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce embrace the grant’s objectives and we look forward to following how these initiatives unfold.
“Congratulations to both groups.”
“SASCU is a purpose driven organization,” said Barry Delaney, SASCU President and CEO. “The Empowerment Grant arose from us taking a hard look at how we could create greater community impact in a way that aligns with our desire to ‘Raise the Shuswap’. These projects exemplify that desire and are led by quality organizations that share our goals. I very much look forward to what we will see from them in the coming year.”
SASCU’s next grant intake deadline is February 5, 2026, and applications are currently being accepted. This cycle’s focus is on Green Resilience. Details are available at: sascu.com/grants.
About SASCU
SASCU Financial Group offers a broad range of personal and business financial services through SASCU Credit Union and its three lines of business, SASCU Insurance, SASCU Wealth and Commercial banking. SASCU Credit Union branches are in Sicamous and Sorrento, plus two in Salmon Arm. Insurance offices are located in Salmon Arm and Enderby. Established in 1946, SASCU has more than 20,000 members, 165 staff and $1 billion in assets. In addition, SASCU stewards $235 million in client investments and serves more than 5,000 insurance customers. Learn more at sascu.com
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Media Contact
SASCU Financial Group
Barry Delaney
President & Chief Executive Officer
250.833.1310 | barrydelaney@sascu.com
