Community First partners with Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines to award $37,500 to Three Guam Non-Profits through the Member Impact Fund

Grant program supports affordable housing and community development

(April 8, 2025 – Hagåtña, Guam)- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-

Community First Guam Federal Credit Union, in partnership with Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines), is pleased to announce that three local non-profit organizations: Catholic Social Service (CSS), Sanctuary Incorporated of Guam, and Victim Advocates Reaching Out (VARO), will each receive a $12,500 grant from the Member Impact Fund.

Community First committed to donating $5,000 to each organization and FHLB Des Moines provided a match grant of $7,500 each. This matching grant program will result in FHLB Des Moines awarding over $6 million in funding to support affordable housing and community development in Hawaii, Utah and Guam.

“The work of these three organizations go a long way to helping those in need,” said Gerard Cruz, President and CEO of Community First. “We’re happy to have partners like the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines who recognize the need to uplift the lives of the members of our community.”

Community First has been a proud partner of these three local non-profit organizations throughout the years. Together, they have been dedicated to housing and community development initiatives.

Catholic Social Service

CSS will use the funds towards the Y Jahame Supportive Services Program, which helps chronically homeless individuals with disabilities in our community.

The purpose of Y Jahame is to promote commitment to the goal of ending homelessness by providing secure housing and support to assist them to live a decent and independent life. Funds will be used to help improve conditions of eight (8) shelter units.

“Thank you for your continual support of Catholic Social Service and the work that we do. The funding received will benefit our Y Jahame project for chronic homeless individuals with disability to improve their housing environment,” said Paula Siguenza, Deputy Director of CSS. “Y Jahame provides sheltering, intensive case management, and supportive services for the individuals in the program. Addressing homelessness on our island is a community effort and we are appreciative of partners such as Community First.”

Sanctuary Incorporated of Guam

Sanctuary will use the funds towards Investing in technology upgrades at Sanctuary’s campus. These upgrades will enhance security, efficiency, and service delivery for vulnerable youth. Upgrades include network security enhancements, modernized security cameras, and an electronic health record (EHR) system to protect sensitive data, improve campus safety, and streamline operations. These advancements will strengthen confidentiality, ensure compliance, and allow staff to focus on direct care, fostering a secure, trauma-informed environment for youth in crisis.

“On behalf of Sanctuary, Inc., we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Community First Guam Federal Credit Union and the Federal Home Loan Bank’s Member Impact Fund for your generous donation,” said Aja Ramos, Chief Operations Officer of WestCare Pacific Islands, which manages Sanctuary. “Your support will directly fund recreational activities and provide critical resources—such as basic needs—for the youth in our care. For many of the youth under our care, such essentials are not guaranteed, and opportunities for joy, healing, and normalcy are rare. Your contribution will have a profound and lasting impact, offering them comfort and a reminder that their community believes in their worth and potential.”

Victim Advocates Reaching Out

VARO will be able to fund a part-time Victim Advocate to assist with 60 families going into VARO's emergency housing program. While in an emergency shelter, the advocate will also assist in applying for longer term housing with other organizations, emotional support, safety planning, transportation to appointments, assistance in applying for pro se protective orders and other benefits as appropriate. Emergency Shelter will be for 20 primary victim/survivors for an average of 3 nights. These primary victims will have an average of 2 children with them or 40 children in all.

“VARO is deeply grateful for the generous $12,500 donation from Community First Guam Federal Credit Union,” said Trina San Agustin, VARO Vice President. “This funding will directly support our mission to provide emergency shelter and vital services to victims of family violence, abuse, and assault. It will help cover temporary shelter, meals, personal care items, and essential shelter expenses for individuals and families seeking safety. Our long-time partnership with Community First Guam continues to strengthen our ability to offer protection, healing, and hope to survivors across our island community."

FHLB Des Moines provides funding solutions and liquidity to more than 1,200 members to support mortgage lending, economic development and affordable housing in the communities they serve. The Member Impact Fund provides FHLB Des Moines members a matching grant donation to strengthen the ability of not-for-profits or government entities to support the needs of their communities.

“The Member Impact Fund continues to make a profound impact on our members’ efforts to create affordable housing accessibility and community development,” says Kris Williams, president and CEO of FHLB Des Moines. “It’s inspiring to see the increased usage year-over-year.”

Recipient organizations were selected based on the needs for grant funding to support capacity-building or working capital necessary to strengthen their ability to serve affordable housing or community development needs including job training, affordable housing, financial literacy, food banks and youth programs.

This member matching grant program is part of FHLB Des Moines’ ongoing mission to offer a variety of funding options through its members.

Since its founding in 2023, the Member Impact Fund has supported affordable housing and community development with nearly $50 million in grants awarded by FHLB Des Moines. Member institutions apply and receive Member Impact Fund matching grants to be distributed to eligible organizations alongside their own grant contribution.

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About Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines is deeply committed to strengthening communities, serving 13 states and three U.S Pacific territories as a member-owned cooperative. We work together with over 1,200 member institutions to support affordable housing, economic development and community improvement.

FHLB Des Moines is one of 11 regional Banks that make up the Federal Home Loan Bank System. Members include community and commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, thrifts and community development financial institutions. FHLB Des Moines is wholly owned by its members and receives no taxpayer funding. For additional information about FHLB Des Moines, please visit www.fhlbdm.com.

About Community First Community First Guam Federal Credit Union is a community-chartered, full-service financial institution serving the community of Guam since 1962. The credit union has four Member Service Centers in Hagåtña, Tamuning, Dededo, and Guam’s first and only Student-Run Service Center in Mangilao. The credit union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. Engage with Community First online at cfirstguam.com or on Facebook and Instagram (@cfirstguam).