Folsom, Calif. – (Aug. 2, 2023) – Students from Cordova, Mesa Verde and Rio Linda
high schools Monday rolled up their sleeves to make a difference for single moms and their kids this summer.
The students, part of SAFE Credit Union’s annual corporate summer internship program, painted classrooms and
sorted donations for Single Mom Strong Monday at their Single Mom’s Empowerment Center in Citrus Heights.
“We are a very small team with a large mission,” says Single Mom Strong founder and Executive Director
Tara Taylor. “Community support like this makes all the world of difference to us.”
SAFE Credit Union Interns Sophia Chavez, Journee Dean, Danielle Yeater and Selena
Maya
The Empowerment Center, home to Single Mom Strong's EmpowerME Preschool & Childcare programs, provides
discounted, high-quality preschool and childcare that specifically meets the needs of children of single parents.
SAFE Credit Union intern Nohemy Garcia paints a classroom.
SAFE’s corporate internship program gives area high school students a behind-the-scenes look at the credit
union’s operations while providing hands-on job and job-seeking skills. Each year advisors arrange for the
interns to volunteer, instilling the importance of corporate citizenship.
“Our internship program strives to teach interns not only about our day-to-day and back-office operations but
to also provide them with a big picture of what it means to work for a socially responsible company,” says
SAFE Credit Union Certified Wellness Educator and Intern Coordinator Savannah Brown.
SAFE Credit Union interns Evan Moua and Nicole Vasques update a classroom with a fresh coat of
paint.
Intern Nicole Vasques says her internship has been a great opportunity and is thankful volunteering is part of the
program. “I think it’s nice giving back to the community too,” she says. “It’s great
to know we are here to help single parents.”
The students spruced up the organization's two heavily used preschool and pre-K classrooms. The rooms provide space
for up to 27 children each day and students enrolled in summer camps.
“We have 3- to 4- and 5-year-olds playing and running around all day, so clearly the walls get dirty,”
Taylor says. “We are really grateful to have the students come here to make sure the rooms stay warm and
inviting. This makes such a huge difference.”
Intern Jaiden Domingo says he enjoyed how the internship gave “a chance for us to give back to the
community.”
“More companies should give back,” he says.
Intern Danielle Yeater said the opportunity to help out at the facility “shows that SAFE is a good company
willing to get people out to volunteer.”
SAFE Credit Union intern Jaiden Domingo volunteers for Single Mom Strong.
At the Empowerment Center, Single Mom Strong serves nearly 800 local single mothers by hosting community events to
create connections, providing life and career coaching, and disseminating free professional clothing.
During their two-week SAFE internship held through Friday, students learn about banking principles, receive
resume-building guidance and engage in mock interviews and ice breaker practice sessions. They learn about marketing
from professionals and this year will create a group marketing project for SAFE’s three high school
student-run branches, also at Cordova, Mesa and Rio Linda high schools. The interns will go on to work in the
student-run branches this coming school year.
The nonprofit Single Mom Strong began supporting single parents seven years ago, opening its Single Mom Empowerment
Center five years ago. “We believe high quality childcare and early childhood education should be available
even on a single budget income,” says Taylor.
SAFE Interns Andrew Ramos sort donated clothing for professional working moms.
SAFE Intern Davit Khachatryan volunteers at Single Mom Strong.
Students read at Single Mom Strong's Citrus Heights childcare center.
SAFE Credit Union Certified Wellness Educator and Intern Coordinator Savannah Brown.
Founding Executive Director of Single Mom Strong Tara Taylor
For more information email [email protected].
About SAFE
SAFE Credit Union has made members an integral part of its vision since 1940. Over the years the credit union has
kept the focus on what really matters, putting members first, a formula that has seen SAFE grow into a leading
financial institution in Northern California with $4.5 billion in assets and about 234,000 members. SAFE crafts
every cutting-edge product and sterling service with members’ needs foremost in mind. In addition to banking
services conveniently available through online, chat, mobile, or phone options, SAFE offers in-person services for
members and small businesses at service centers across the Greater Sacramento region. SAFE is a not-for-profit,
state-chartered credit union with membership open to businesses and individuals living or working in Sacramento,
Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Sutter, Butte, Nevada, Solano, San Joaquin, Contra Costa, Yuba, Amador, and Alameda
counties. Insured by NCUA. www.safecu.org