Unitus Community Credit Union celebrated the opening of its Woodburn Financial Resource Center on February 7, a one-of-a-kind hub that unites branch services with lending support, small business services, community programming, financial education, administrative offices, and tenant spaces under one roof.
Over 250 community members, partners, and business leaders joined Unitus at the opening, enjoying prize drawings and food and drink from local Hispanic-owned small businesses Luis’s Taqueria and Pacific Pours.
As part of the celebration, the credit union presented a $20,000 check to Marion Polk Food Share for their capital campaign, “Sharing Fresh Food. Feeding Generations. Building a Healthier Tomorrow.” The campaign supports Marion Polk Food Share’s expansion into a warehouse more than double its current size, significantly increasing its ability to meet rising demand and providing stronger support to local pantries like AWARE Food Bank in Woodburn.
Guests also heard from local community leaders and Woodburn’s mayor, Frank Lonergan, as part of the festivities. Mayor Lonergan, a nearly lifelong resident, shared remarks about the city’s growth and Unitus’ active involvement in the community.
“Unitus has already become such an integral part of the [Woodburn] community, reaching out to organizations to see what they can do to help,” said Mayor Lonergan. “We’re one of the fastest-growing communities in Oregon… Unitus fits right into that concept. As you can see, Unitus is not only a very smart financial institution, but also a very friendly institution.”
Following Mayor Lonergan’s remarks was a dedication to Antonio Ramos, a beloved educator, advocate, and community connector whose influence has shaped generations of families across Woodburn. During the dedication, the community room where guests had gathered was publicly unveiled as the “Antonio Ramos Community Room,” a fitting tribute to Ramos’ lifelong dedication to service, creating opportunities, and celebrating shared success.
Ramos, who has seen the Woodburn community restore bilingual education, transform its downtown, build affordable housing, and welcome new families over the years, sees Unitus as a strong partner in this work: “Unitus is already making a difference with projects that recognize, appreciate, and support the community. That gives me hope that we will continue to grow together.”
“We’re proud to call Woodburn home,” said Steve Stapp, President and CEO. “Unitus’ commitment to unity, culture, and community mirrors the spirit of this city. We look forward to supporting neighbors, helping families thrive, and standing alongside local businesses as we build a stronger, more connected community together.”
The Woodburn Financial Resource Center builds upon Unitus’ mission as a Juntos Avanzamos credit union, providing culturally responsive services and a wide range of multilingual support, including staff who speak Spanish, German, and Lao. It follows the same branch hours as other Unitus locations, with service available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Virtual Teller Machine offers extended hours Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.