By Aaron Allen
The Seattle Medium
Verity Credit Union will celebrate the opening of its new Rainier Valley branch with a free community block party Saturday, Oct. 17, featuring live music, local artisans, children’s activities and opportunities for residents to connect with the credit union’s staff.
The Rainier Grand Community Block Party will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Verity’s new branch, 3621 33rd Ave. S., which officially opened Oct. 5. The family-friendly event follows months of neighborhood outreach aimed at introducing the credit union to Rainier Valley residents, businesses and community organizations.
For Verity, the celebration is part of a broader effort to establish a lasting presence in South Seattle and connect residents with financial services, education and resources.
Before opening its Rainier Valley branch, Verity spent several months connecting with residents, neighborhood businesses and community organizations, an effort the credit union says was intended to help it understand local priorities and build relationships beyond traditional banking services.
Keith Huckabay, Verity’s vice president of marketing, said those relationships are central to how the credit union hopes to serve the neighborhood.
“Opening this new branch gives us an opportunity to connect with Rainier Valley residents and businesses, listen to their needs, and understand how Verity can best support them. Local businesses and community organizations play an important role in a neighborhood’s success, and we want to be a trusted partner. By showing up, listening, and working alongside local organizations, we can build meaningful relationships, better understand community priorities, and connect people with financial services and programs that support their goals.”
That outreach has taken place in familiar neighborhood gathering spaces, including community meals at Emerald City Fish & Chips, resource days at Rainier Community Center with Seattle Municipal Court, family gatherings at the RBAC Back2School Bash and meetups at Yuu Tea Cafe.
The events have given Verity opportunities to introduce itself to residents outside a traditional banking environment while connecting with organizations and businesses already serving the neighborhood.
Saturday’s block party will bring those efforts together in a free celebration featuring live entertainment, local artisans, activities for children and opportunities to meet the Verity team.
“We’re excited to celebrate our new Rainier Valley branch, which opened on October 5, and spend time with the neighborhood. Over the past several months, we’ve been getting to know residents, local businesses and community organizations through community meals, resource events and family gatherings. The Block Party on Saturday, October 17, is a free, family-friendly way to bring everyone together, with live entertainment, local artisans, activities for kids and a chance to meet our team. It’s our chance to thank the community for the warm welcome and celebrate this new chapter in Rainier Valley.”
Beyond the celebration, Verity says its goal is to make financial services and guidance more accessible to individuals, families and small businesses in Rainier Valley.
As a certified Community Development Financial Institution, or CDFI, Verity has a mission of expanding financial opportunities for people and businesses that have faced barriers to traditional banking. The credit union, which was recertified as a CDFI in August, says that work includes helping residents build credit, save for the future, purchase their first homes and access financial services to support small businesses.
The new branch gives Verity a physical location in Rainier Valley where residents can explore those services and establish relationships with staff.
Huckabay said the credit union hopes its presence will lead to continued partnerships with neighborhood businesses and organizations.
“Through the Rainier Valley Block Party, we want to celebrate the community, bring neighbors together and give residents and local businesses an opportunity to get to know Verity and our team. We hope the event strengthens our relationships with local businesses and community partners as we continue building our presence in the neighborhood. Over time, we hope to build trusted, lasting relationships with Rainier Valley residents and become a go-to resource for financial guidance and support.”
As part of Saturday’s festivities, eligible attendees can participate in the Rainier Grand Opening Sweepstakes for a chance to win one of two $2,500 cash prizes. No purchase or credit union membership is required to enter.
The block party is open to residents throughout Rainier Valley and surrounding communities, giving families, business owners and neighbors an opportunity to gather while learning more about the credit union’s new location.
“Verity is excited to celebrate the opening of our Rainier Valley branch with the community,” Huckabay concludes. “The Block Party is open to everyone, and we welcome neighbors from Rainier Valley and beyond to stop by, meet our team and enjoy the festivities. We’re proud to be part of this neighborhood and look forward to building lasting relationships with the community.”
