WCCU Invests $50,000 in Local Youth as a Founding Wavemaker for Jonnycake Youth Center

South Kingstown, R.I. - Westerly Community Credit Union (WCCU) has joined the Jonnycake Center for Hope as a Founding Wavemaker, committing $50,000 over 5 years to help create lasting opportunities for local youth through the Jonnycake Youth Center in South Kingstown.

Over 100 local youth, volunteers, and community leaders gathered to celebrate the Youth Center’s first anniversary. In its first year, the Youth Center provided 75 local youths with more than 12,000 hours of academic support, recreational activities, paid internships, college and career readiness services, mentorship, and enrichment opportunities.

The Wavemakers initiative was created to help provide long-term financial stability for the Youth Center. As a Founding Wavemaker, WCCU has committed $10,000 annually for five years, helping provide local middle and high school students opportunities to learn, grow and prepare for their futures.

"Westerly Community Credit Union is proud to invest in local youth and the leaders of tomorrow," said Andrew Rogers, President and CEO of Westerly Community Credit Union. "Supporting opportunities that inspire growth, build confidence, and strengthen our communities reflects our commitment to delivering Care You Can Bank On throughout the communities we serve. We are honored to support a program that empowers young people to make a positive impact today while helping shape a stronger future for Washington County and our surrounding communities."

For WCCU, the commitment reflects the credit union's longstanding focus on investing in organizations and initiatives that strengthen local communities and create opportunities for people to build stronger futures.

"A Wavemaker's legacy is measured not in dollars, but in opportunities created, potential unlocked, and local communities changed," said Kate Brewster, CEO of the Jonnycake Center for Hope. "Westerly Community Credit Union's foundational investment ensures that every young person who walks through our doors has access to the guidance and resources they need to thrive."

About Westerly Community Credit Union:

Established in 1948, Westerly Community Credit Union is a local, full–service financial institution that currently serves over 22,000 members with lending and deposit products through convenient locations in Westerly, Richmond, Wakefield, Coventry, and online at www.westerlyccu.com. Recent WCCU awards: #1 for Best Credit Union, #2 Best Financial Planning Services by the Westerly Sun’s 2025 Community Choice Awards and #1 for Best Credit Union by Southern RI Newspapers 2025 Community Choice Awards; Southern RI 2023 Chamber Choice Awards “Spreadin’ the Love Giving Back Award”, as well as PBN’s Best Places to Work ( 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026) and PBN’s Fastest Growing Companies (2024, 2025 and 2026); 5-Star BauerFinancial Rating 2026. Care you can bank on.