HIGHTSTOWN, N.J./TYSONS, Va.–Pen Fed and Rise, a nonprofit providing services in the Hightstown/East Windsor area, have announced a new partnership to support the local community through an experiential tool designed to help reduce COVID-19 related anxieties.
PenFed’s $100,000 investment will help to create a vital and vibrant connection to learning, community and care. Based on an assessment of current needs, and amplified by the impact of the ongoing pandemic, Rise and PenFed are joining resources to create “U Rise Powered by PenFed”: an experiential tool by which the greater Rise community can reframe their COVID-19 related anxiety, loss of purpose and hopelessness into personal growth, strength and optimism.
“PenFed is proud to support the Hightstown and East Windsor communities,” said PenFed President/CEO and PenFed Foundation CEO James Schenck. “PenFed was founded on the credit union mission of people helping people. We understand this has been a challenging year for many. Rise shares in our mission and together we can provide meaningful support and help uplift and strengthen our communities.”
U Rise Powered by PenFed will take the shape of an online portal, currently under development by Human Experience Systems, and will act as a gateway to a multitude of curated local content. From connecting with community, managing well-being and mindfulness, and acquiring new skills and knowledge, U Rise will serve to engage, lift and inspire the community.
Online content will be sourced by creating new content, re-purposing existing content, and by aggregating content via partnerships with local corporations, small businesses, organizations and experienced individuals. While many of the virtual programs will lead to in-person programming as appropriate, much of the online content will continue to be refreshed and remain relevant.
“U Rise will both inspire end-users and celebrate our community collaborators,” states Leslie Koppel, executive director of Rise. “Thanks to the generous investment by PenFed Credit Union, many in our common community will feel more hopeful and confident about their families and their futures as we emerge from the trying times of this pandemic, determined to move forward.”