Del Norte Credit Union Announces Venessa Valerio Scholarship at Northern New Mexico College

Credit Union makes $1,000 per year commitment for 5 Years

SANTA FE, New Mexico, November 3, 2017—Del Norte Credit Union (DNCU), northern New Mexico’s hometown financial cooperative, is proud to announce the Del Norte Credit Union Venessa Valerio Scholarship at Northern New Mexico College in Espanola. DNCU is making a contribution of $1,000 per year for five years to support a student in the college’s nursing program each year.

“We were inspired to make this commitment in order to help students on the path to fulfilling their career dreams,” says Chuck Valenti, DNCU CEO/President. “This is a way to honor the memory of Venessa Valerio, a child born in this community whose life was tragically shortened, and was never able to fulfill her dreams.”

DNCU learned of Venessa’s story through an employee who was Venessa’s friend as well as through the credit union’s adoption of Valdez Park in Espanola, which houses the Venessa’s Hideway playground dedicated to her. With a retail location and an Operations Center in Española, DNCU has many members and employees who make use of the educational resources of the college, which made it a natural choice for a scholarship.

In addition to this new commitment, DNCU has an annual scholarship program which gives ten $1,000 scholarships to assist credit union members who are high school seniors, equivalent home school seniors, or a recipient of a GED and plan to continue their education in college or vocational school programs. Scholarships are offered each year for full-time study at an accredited institution of the student’s choice.

The mission of Northern New Mexico College is to ensure student success by providing access to affordable, community-based learning opportunities that meet the educational, cultural, and economic needs of the region. DNCU is making its donations through the Northern New Mexico College Foundation, which supports the school.

About Del Norte Credit Union

Chartered in 1954, Del Norte Credit Union is dedicated to improving lives by being the ideal partner for a better future. Today DNCU has six branches in northern New Mexico and serves more than 46,000 members throughout the state.