SOMERVILLE, Mass.--Naveo Credit Union’s Community Cooks Serving Circle Team is celebrating two years of providing monthly home-cooked meals to ShortStop, a community-based residence and transitional house for homeless young adults. June marks the second anniversary of Naveo’s monthly donations through Community Cooks, a nonprofit that mobilizes a network of volunteers to prepare home-cooked meals for vulnerable neighbors seeking assistance from local human service agencies.
Naveo is a founding member of Community Cooks’ Executive Chefs Circle, a core group of businesses who share the Community Cooks commitment to our neighborhoods. As an extension of the Executive Chefs Circle, Naveo established a Serving Circle Team comprised of cooks and “snackers” who work together by providing individual, balanced, home-cooked meal components each month. In addition to the cooks, Naveo’s “snackers” also provide ShortStop with juice, fruit and nutritional bars among other things.
“After two years of providing meals to those in need, I want to thank all the Serving Circle chefs for their commitment to this great cause. The actions from our cooking team are a true testament of who we are and our commitment to those less fortunate. We look forward to continuing to support Community Cooks’ efforts to end hunger in our community,” commented Rui F. Domingos, Chief Executive Officer at Naveo Credit Union.
"Naveo has been a model community partner throughout the past two years. Company leadership and their staff have stepped up to help their neighbors in need in remarkable ways, showing us all the real difference a compassionate business can make in the lives of young people who are struggling. Thanks to each and every member of the Naveo team for their generosity, compassion and loyalty," commented Daniele Levine, Executive Director at Community Cooks.
Meanwhile, two people with Naveo have been recognized for their contributions to the Portuguese community. Naveo Credit Union Board Member John C. Feitor won a “Portugueses de Valor 2015” award from LusoPress in the Acores. Out of 100 nominees, Feitor was one of 20 that was selected as a “Portuguese de Valor.”
The “Portugueses de Valor” awards are awarded to distinguished Portuguese individuals for their work and achievements in Portugal and the United States. Award recipients are selected by an independent jury based on their qualities and values to the Portuguese community.
Naveo Chief Executive Officer, Rui Domingos, and former Board Member Joseph Cerqueira were also recognized as “Portugueses de Valor 2015” nominees.
Feitor has been a board member at Naveo for 33 years. Mr. Feitor has served in various capacities, including Chair of the Credit Committee, Chair of Personnel Committee, Chair of the ALCO Committee, Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Board for six consecutives years. Mr. Feitor is a very well known community leader and has served as a volunteer at several community organizations including the Filarmonica de Santo Antonio and Saint Anthony’s Parish, Cambridge. Mr. Feitor is a strong believer in education and staying true to your roots.
“It was an honor to be nominated for the ‘Portugueses de Valor’ awards. I also want to congratulate Naveo Board Member, John C Feitor, for being awarded as one of the ‘Portugueses de Valor.’ It is well-deserved recognition for his efforts in our community and at the Credit Union. This ‘Portuguese de Valor’ initiative by the LusoPress is unique as it is geared towards recognizing the efforts and successes of the Portuguese at a global level. This year the awards gala was held in the beautiful island of Sao Miguel at the Coliseu Micalense. The Gala and the entire 3-day program provided a unique opportunity to network with fellow Portuguese from various countries,” commented Rui F. Domingos, Chief Executive Officer at Naveo Credit Union.
Two People Also Recognized
Separately, Naveo CEO Rui F. Domingos was presented with The Heritage Day of Portugal Portuguese Heritage Award by The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Portuguese American Legislative Caucus. The Portuguese Heritage Award recognizes individuals who have excelled in their lives and who serve as role models for others to emulate. The Heritage Day of Portugal is an annual statewide event celebrated at the State House, dating back to 1985.
Domingos was nominated by members of the Portuguese American delegation. Nominations are made to individuals of Portuguese-speaking heritages who represent their districts and have made strides in their community.
According to the credit union, Domingos has been leader in the community who continuously supports local organizations and makes a point to sustain the neighborhoods in which Naveo serves by making a difference beyond banking. In addition, Domingos was honored for leading Naveo through a name change last year, a bold move for the 87-year old credit union. Domingos has facilitated collaborations with MAPS to offer English classes, domestic violence prevention, drug abuse prevention and most recently, offering the Dreamer Loan, an affordable loan for citizenship applicants.