DEs across the country turn purpose into action
For Development Educators, the philosophy of people helping people doesn’t end when their one-week DE training concludes. Every year on June 10, DE alumni across the country turn that philosophy into action by showing up in their communities through volunteerism and acts of service. They share one purpose: to make an impact.
Hosted annually by the National Credit Union Foundation, DE Day of Service creates an opportunity for DE alumni to continue learning, serving, and connecting. By engaging with local organizations and community causes, DEs deepen their understanding of the challenges facing the people and communities they serve while bringing the credit union philosophy to life.
People helping people in action
From trash pickup to community gardening, food pantries to diaper drives, nursing centers to domestic violence shelter, Relay for Life to YWCA, and supporting digital literacy efforts, DEs demonstrated the many ways the credit union philosophy comes to life beyond the walls of a credit union.
On DE Day of Service 2026, DEs collectively:
- Contributed more than 150 hours of service
- Partnered with over 15 community organizations
- Supported communities across at least 10 states
These experiences not only created immediate community impact, but also helped DEs deepen their understanding of the real-life barriers people face every day—from housing insecurity and food access to education, transportation, and financial stability.
“While our ongoing work at the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions supports communities around the world in a myriad of ways, from a personal standpoint, getting out into your community and using your own two hands to help someone always refuels the commitment for our work,” said Kassandra Schroeder, director of WYCUP & Global DE Programs at the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions. “We’re continuously grateful to and in awe of our global community of DEs for keeping us grounded in purpose on this day and throughout the year.”
What happens after DE matters most
At its core, the DE program is designed to connect and inspire leaders through cooperative principles, shared learning, and a deeper understanding of the communities credit unions serve. Opportunities like DE Day of Service extend that experience beyond the classroom by creating space for DE alumni to learn from one another, serve alongside community partners, and continue exploring the complex barriers that impact financial well-being.
Since the first DE Day of Service in 2016, DE alumni have used this annual initiative to support causes connected to the Foundation’s 12 Development Issues, helping participants better understand and respond to barriers impacting financial well-being through local service and community engagement.
Those barriers often extend beyond traditional financial challenges. They include issues like housing, transportation, food security, access to education, and isolation. Factors that shape a person’s overall well-being and opportunity.
“An important part of being a DE means addressing developmental needs of our community like reducing social isolation,” said Linda Nuñez, assistant vice president of GECU Community Development. “It was an honor to spend quality time with some of the older people in our community and get to know them better.”
DE changes how people show up in their communities
For many DE alumni, the impact of the program extends far beyond a single week of training. It shapes how they lead, serve, and engage with their communities long after returning home.
“DE Day of Service was a powerful reminder that the credit union difference is rooted in our heart,” said Justin Frazier, Community Outreach Coordinator at CSE Federal Credit Union. “It’s not just something we talk about; it’s something we live every day. I often say that the credit union movement is the greatest story never told, but we’re changing that. This is our story.”
Through DE Day of Service, DE Connects webinars, volunteer opportunities, and ongoing alumni engagement, DEs continue learning from one another, strengthening their communities, and bringing the philosophy of people helping people to life.
Thank you to every DE alum, credit union, League, partner organization, and volunteer who participated in this year’s DE Day of Service. Your collective impact reflects the very best of the credit union movement and the enduring power of people helping people.
Interested in becoming a Development Educator or reconnecting with the DE alumni network? Learn more about the DE Program and upcoming opportunities to engage.