Credit Union West Employees Invest in JAG Students

Credit Union West Employees Invest in JAG Students

For more than a decade, Credit Union West has engaged with Jobs for Arizona's Graduates as a Pathway Maker, investing not only financially, but through time, volunteerism, and opportunity creation for Arizona students.

That longstanding partnership continued in a meaningful way last month when Credit Union West employees, alongside the CU West CARES Charitable Foundation, presented JAG with a donation totaling $9,638.04 through the credit union’s EmployeesCARE Program.

Initially, we believed we would be receiving a $4,000 contribution and were already incredibly thankful for the support. When the final amount was revealed during the check presentation on April 23, 2026, at Credit Union West’s corporate office in Glendale, we were overwhelmed with gratitude.

“To know that Credit Union West employees personally chose to invest in our students and then exceeded what we expected speaks volumes about their belief in young people and the future of Arizona,” said Marjorie DeRubeis, President & CEO of JAG. “Their support goes far beyond a donation. Credit Union West has consistently shown up for our students through volunteerism, workforce opportunities, and authentic partnership over many years.”

The EmployeesCARE Program is funded directly through employee donations, which are then matched through the CU West CARES Charitable Foundation. JAG was selected as the 2026 Q1 recipient because of our shared commitment to helping students build successful futures through education, leadership development, and career readiness.

For years, Credit Union West has actively engaged with JAG students at statewide events and conferences. Their community relations team regularly host tables at both the High School Success Expo during the JAG Middle School Career Development Conference and the College & Career Expo during the JAG Career Development Conference, helping students explore career opportunities, financial wellness, and pathways into the workforce.

The partnership has also directly impacted JAG alumni. Credit Union West hired JAG alumnus Angelo Cortina, whose JAG story reflects the power of mentorship and workforce connection. Today, he is building his professional career with Credit Union West, representing exactly what strong employer partnerships can make possible for students after graduation. Partnerships like this show why Pathway Makers are so important to our mission. When employers invest in students early through career exposure and hiring opportunities; they help young people see a future for themselves and gain the confidence to pursue it.

We are deeply grateful to Credit Union West for their continued partnership and belief in Arizona’s young people.