Charlene Bauer, senior vice president of strategic initiatives for Metro Credit Union in Chelsea, has more than 25 years of banking experience under her belt. But it was 12 years ago that she first heard the siren call of credit unions.
“Credit unions are really about helping people. We don’t call them customers, we call them members. It’s what I believe in, and what I enjoy doing,” she said.
Under her leadership and guidance, Metro has invested more than $75,000 in 2011 alone towards programs that that focus on low- to moderate-income areas and underserved populations such as the children and the elderly. For instance, under the Families United in Educational Leadership (FUEL) program, Metro manages more than 340 savings accounts containing a total of $100,000 in deposits for low-income families saving up to further their children’s education.
And Bauer was founders of CONNECT, a coalition led by The Neighborhood Development Network which is helping provide a kind of one-stop shop for low income and immigrant families in Chelsea. The coalition provides resources for education, job training and financial education. Metro helps support the program by providing simple, low-fee financial products that help families get a foothold on the financial ladder.
“A lot of the clients of CONNECT are first generation into the country. They’re just getting established and they’re not used to the financial systems of the United States. So we provide a familiar face,” explained Bauer. “Our goal is to get people banked so that they’re not being targeted for the payday lenders, the check cashers, that sort of thing.”
“All of us at Metro are incredibly proud and in awe of the time, effort, and sacrifices she freely gives in order to make the lasting impact to those who need it most: the underserved, lower income, and (all too often) struggling families that live in our sphere of membership,” wrote Metro CEO Robert Cashman in his nomination of Bauer.
It’s not only at work that Bauer puts in the extra effort to make a difference. She was named 2011 Rotarian of the Year for her efforts with the Chelsea Rotary Club. She’s helped lead three overseas charitable efforts in her time with the organization, including a multi-year effort, launched under her presidency of the Rotary Club, to build a new hospital in rural Colombia.
“Once you raise the funds, you have to get the permissions, the grants, everything that goes with it, even the building supplies – I mean literally everything that had to be carried in on mules,” she said. “We’re very proud of it.”
The facility serves 1,500 people who had been entirely without medical care.
