Maps Credit Union

At this month’s Donuts at the Dot, we met Emmy Arana, co-founder and executive director of Acres of Hope Youth Ranch, a mentorship program serving youth ages 12 to 19.🐴✨

Emmy knows firsthand what it’s like to struggle as a kid. Later, as a middle school math teacher, she found herself surrounded by young people who were hurting in ways that felt all too familiar. So, in 2020, she and her husband, Justin, opened Acres of Hope, a 40-acre ranch in Rickreall committed to providing mentorship and healing for youth grappling with depression, anxiety, grief, and other big emotions.

And while horses were at the heart of the original program, Emmy quickly learned that connection looks different for every kid. At the ranch, that might mean grooming a horse, making art, shooting archery, doing chores, snuggling a cat, or simply talking while their hands are busy.

We’ve been fortunate to support Acres of Hope through grants and sponsorships over the years, but we especially appreciated the chance to hear the story behind the ranch—and the heart behind the work from Emmy herself.💙

Thanks to Emmy and everyone at Acres of Hope for creating a place where young people can find connection, encouragement, and plenty of reasons to hope.🙏🥹

Last Sunday, our Chemeketa and High St. Branch teams headed to Riverfront Park on their day off to join the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, alongside hundreds of others in support of people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, their families, and those who care for them.🌼🙌
We’re so proud of our crew for showing up and walking together for a cause that touches so many families in our community.💜💛💙🧡

Come rain or come shine, the Salem Art Fair & Festival is one of our favorite local events, and this year, we got a little bit of both!😅🙌
We were proud to once again sponsor a weekend filled with incredible art, music, creativity, and community—and to have some of our Maps team there to welcome everyone at the gate.💙
Thanks to the Salem Art Association, the artists, volunteers, and everyone who helped make this year’s Salem Art Fair another memorable one. We’ll see you next year!🎨☀️🎤

Just a little reminder that community support doesn’t have to be quiet.🤘🔊
We were once again proud to sponsor Punx in the Park, an annual event from Punx With Purpose that brings music, food, fun, and community resources together in one place for local youth.
It’s a raucous good time that’s all about giving young people a place to show up exactly as they are. And if you ask Avery from our Outreach team, it’s also one of the best volunteer gigs of the year.😉
Huge thanks to Punx With Purpose, the volunteers, and everyone who helped create such a welcoming space for young people in our community. Until next year! ⚡🎸

🍩At this month’s Donuts at the Dot, we welcomed Jamie Wenigmann, Director of Development for the Chemeketa Community College Foundation, and Madalena Martin, a Chemeketa student and passionate advocate for the program. Madalena is currently earning a 4.0 while pursuing a degree to become a certified alcohol and drug counselor. She also happens to be one of the two non-traditional students who received a Maps Scholarship this spring.

“The scholarships I’ve received affirm all the work I’m doing and the silent sacrifices we all make going through academia,” Madalena shared. “Scholarships empower people.”

The Chemeketa Foundation has been supporting students since 1973, when a small group of community members began providing loans to student-parents. Today, that work has grown to include around 150 scholarships and other resources for students in need.

We’re especially grateful for the connections between our two foundations. Maps Community Foundation Executive Director Kim Hanson serves on the Chemeketa Foundation Board, and every year, Maps Scholarships have helped students like Madalena keep moving toward their goals.

So, thank you, Jamie and Madalena, for spending the morning with us—and for reminding us just how many lives can be changes with a little community support.💙

We already knew our Woodburn team was pretty cool.😎 Turns out Woodburn agrees.🏆

The Woodburn Independent’s Readers’ Choice Awards gave our Woodburn Branch the Gold prize for Best Bank/Credit Union—a pretty great reflection of the care and connection Branch Manager Ahlea and her team bring to the community every day.

Thanks to everyone who voted, and to our Woodburn team for making Maps feel so at home in the community.🫶

Hunger touches thousands of families across Marion and Polk counties but Marion Polk Food Share works every day to change that.🧑‍🧑‍🧒

That’s why, last week, the Maps Community Foundation presented a $50,000 grant to Marion Polk Food Share to support renovations to its new food distribution facility.

Once complete, the space will double warehouse capacity and help expand Meals on Wheels production from about 1,000 to as many as 3,000 meals a day! 🍽️🚙

Maps employees have volunteered alongside the Food Share team for years, so we’re especially proud to support this next chapter and the important work ahead.💙