VyStar Credit Union and Orange County Head Start Honored with Prestigious Sargent Shriver Excellence in Community Service Award

COLUMBUS, Ohio – VyStar Credit Union and Orange County Head Start (OCHS) have been jointly awarded the Sargent Shriver Excellence in Community Service Award by the National Head Start Association (NHSA). The award was given at NHSA’s recent national conference and expo. This esteemed recognition honors their eight-year partnership dedicated to promoting financial wellness and community empowerment.

The Sargent Shriver Award, named after the visionary founder of the Head Start program in 1965, acknowledges organizations that have made significant contributions to enhancing early learning or improving community health. 

Through its partnership with OCHS, VyStar has helped countless eligible Head Start families and staff improve their financial health. These initiatives have included: a “Financial Fridays” program, designed to educate participants on essential financial topics such as budgeting, savings, credit, investing, and building wealth; and one-on-one financial advising sessions that have enabled participants to increase their credit scores, open savings accounts, and set long-term financial goals.

VyStar’s contributions go far beyond financial education. Their team members have actively volunteered in various capacities, including assisting with food deliveries to families in need and participating in community events. VyStar also collaborated with WUCF-TV (the PBS affiliate) in hosting a book drive that benefited Head Start programs across Florida. 

“VyStar Credit Union has worked tirelessly to be a partner to Head Start individuals and families in Central Florida,” said Yasmina Vinci, executive director of the National Head Start Association. “Their dedication to financial education, wellness, and community support makes them an exemplary candidate for the prestigious honor of the Sargent Shriver Award.”

“This award is not just a recognition of our efforts, but a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we come together to uplift our communities through financial education,” saidMarc Streebel, Vice President, VyStar at Work Program . “Our partnership  with Head Start has opened doors, sparked hope, and changed lives. We are deeply honored and inspired d to continue this transformative journey.”

“VyStar Credit Union’s remarkable contributions have made a difference in our communities,” said Sandra Ruff, program manager for Orange County Head Start. “Their partnership embodies the values that Sargent Shriver envisioned, and we are excited to celebrate this milestone with them.”

Over the past three years, the VyStar Credit Union and Orange County Head Start partnership has impacted more than 3,200 families, providing them with essential financial tools and knowledge to build a secure future.

About VyStar Credit Union
VyStar Credit Union is the second-largest credit union headquartered in Florida, with 78 full-service branches across Florida and Georgia, 1 million members and assets of over $14 billion. VyStar is the top mortgage lender in Northeast Florida and a major employer in the region with over 2,300 employees across the communities it serves. VyStar membership is open to everyone who lives or works in the 49 contiguous counties of Central to North Florida, 29 Georgia counties, and past and present military members and their families all over the world. VyStar members have access to 55,000 surcharge free ATMs worldwide. For more information, visit vystarcu.org, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram,  X (Twitter), and LinkedIn.   

About Orange County Head Start
Orange County Head Start is a comprehensive early childhood education program that provides services to children and families in Central Florida. The program focuses on promoting school readiness and supporting the overall development of children from low-income families.