GLCU Foundation Celebrates Annual Event Honoring 2025 Achievements and Supporters

​Last week, the GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment hosted its annual fundraising celebration at the Chevy Chase Country Club in Wheeling, Illinois, bringing together more than 80 guests, including partners, clients, supporters, board members, and employees, to reflect on the milestones of 2025, raise funds, and express gratitude to those who made them possible.

The dinner reception highlighted the GLCU Foundation’s achievements over the past year, with a focus on the HUD-certified housing and financial counselors’ work with local community members, financial literacy efforts, and community giveback.

Emceed by GLCU Foundation Executive Director Matthew Rizzie, the evening began with powerful speeches by Great Lakes Credit Union President and CEO Steve Bugg and Mortgage Forward President Michael Abraham. They touched on the importance of volunteering in the communities and advancing technologies and partnerships to embolden the offerings of the GLCU Foundation.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening was the presentation of the Financial Empowerment Champion Award to a client who successfully overcame challenges to become not only the first in her family’s history to own a home, but to instill that same sense of determination in her daughter. The award honoring Tahnikah Draine was presented by the Foundation’s Senior Housing and Financial Counselor Wilane Boone and Senior Manager of Housing and Financial Counseling Jeanette Velazquez, who shared, “Throughout our journey, we’ve witnessed Tahnikah overcome challenges and achieve her dream of homeownership. By doing so, she is helping shed light on the assistance we can provide to others in the community.”

Following the award, guests viewed a moving video that told Tahnikah’s story, offering inspiration and hope to others facing similar struggles.

The GLCU Foundation also honored two community partners for their outstanding collaboration and commitment to support youth financial education:

• North Chicago Community Partners, recognized for organizing impactful partnerships that bring youth financial education into local schools. Shirley Stevens and Elizabeth Beach accepted the award on behalf of the organization.
• Emmons School of Antioch celebrated as the first school to collaborate with the GLCU Foundation on youth financial literacy workshops—paving the way for future educational initiatives with other schools. Karen Marsell and Nicole Lasak accepted the award on behalf of the school.

In addition to a delicious buffet, the evening included a silent auction to raise additional funds for the GLCU Foundation, and an appeal for additional donations by GLCU Foundation Board Member David Goles. The event was a celebration of resilience, partnership, and the power of community. With continued support, the GLCU Foundation remains committed to its mission of empowering individuals and families through financial education and opportunity.

The event helped leverage the impactful work that the GLCU Foundation is doing in local communities to accomplish its mission to affect positive change and financially empower everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status. Matthew Rizzie noted, “We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of everyone who attended our event in support of the GLCU Foundation. Thanks to your support, we can continue providing essential community services such as housing and financial counseling, financial literacy programs, workshops, grants, and other outreach efforts - all of which make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.”

To help fund the GLCU Foundation’s giveback initiatives, please click here. Every contribution helps us create a lasting impact in the communities we serve.