Workforce & Leadership Development
# Make the Difference Credit Union Formation Internship
Pioneering Social Impact Finance for Displaced Workers & Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurs
Program Overview
Mission: Create the world's first purpose-driven credit union dedicated to serving displaced workers and social entrepreneurs focused on mental health, behavioral wellness, and social impact. This transformative initiative integrates innovative financial services with VoiceUp University, Make the Difference Media Network, and comprehensive support systems for individuals navigating career transitions and pursuing purpose-driven ventures.
Duration: 3-12 months (minimum 3-month commitment)
Commitment: 10-20 hours per week (fully adaptable to your schedule)
Format: 100% remote, 100% flexible scheduling
Start Date: Rolling admissions with seasonal cohorts
Core Mission & Impact Focus
Primary Beneficiaries
- Recently Displaced Workers: Individuals facing unexpected job loss requiring emergency financial support and career transition assistance
- Purpose-Driven Social Entrepreneurs: Innovators working in mental health, behavioral wellness, creative arts, environmental justice, and interdisciplinary social impact
- Underserved Communities: Families in challenging situations, justice-involved individuals, and learners of all ages seeking proactive mental health strategies
The Integrated Ecosystem
Make the Difference Credit Union: Revolutionary financial institution providing specialized services for displaced workers and social entrepreneurs, featuring emergency bridge loans, career transition support, and purpose-aligned lending for mental health and behavioral wellness initiatives.
VoiceUp University: Educational platform connecting people to their purpose while providing financial literacy and entrepreneurship training integrated with creative arts, environmental studies, and interdisciplinary learning focused on mental health promotion.
Make the Difference Media Network: Content platform sharing inspiring stories of purpose discovery and resilience, featuring Stress Free Zone workshops and innovative programming supporting families and justice system reform.
Internship Tracks & Specializations
Track 1: Emergency Financial Services Development
Focus: Creating innovative credit union products for displaced workers
Key Projects:
- Design emergency bridge loans with flexible repayment terms
- Develop career transition savings accounts with incentive matching
- Create debt consolidation services for unemployment periods
- Build risk assessment models for unemployed borrowers
- Research federal compliance for unemployment-related lending
Required Knowledge Areas:
- Federal banking regulations and NCUA guidelines
- Credit union charter application processes
- Risk management and underwriting for vulnerable populations
- Social impact measurement frameworks
Track 2: Purpose-Driven Lending & CDFI Development
Focus: Building financial products for social entrepreneurs
Key Projects:
- Develop lending criteria for mental health and behavioral wellness ventures
- Create impact measurement tools for creative arts and environmental justice projects
- Design loan products for justice reform and family support initiatives
- Research Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) certification pathways
- Build business cases for interdisciplinary social impact funding
Required Knowledge Areas:
- CDFI certification requirements and benefits
- Social impact lending best practices
- Financial modeling for mission-driven ventures
- Regulatory compliance for community development finance
Track 3: Regulatory Compliance & Charter Formation
Focus: Navigating credit union formation and federal regulations
Key Projects:
- Research Indiana state vs. federal credit union charter options
- Prepare charter application documentation and business plans
- Develop field of membership definitions for dual-purpose mission
- Create compliance frameworks for innovative lending products
- Build relationships with Indiana Department of Financial Institutions
Required Knowledge Areas:
- Credit union formation requirements (state and federal)
- Field of membership regulations and common bond requirements
- Financial projections and capital requirements for charter approval
- Ongoing regulatory compliance and examination procedures
Track 4: Technology & Digital Innovation
Focus: Building digital infrastructure for modern credit union operations
Key Projects:
- Design mobile banking platform for displaced workers and entrepreneurs
- Create AI-powered financial counseling systems
- Develop peer-to-peer support networks within credit union framework
- Build integration with job placement and career services
- Design impact tracking dashboards for social entrepreneurs
Required Knowledge Areas:
- Credit union core banking systems and technology solutions
- Digital banking regulations and cybersecurity requirements
- User experience design for vulnerable populations
- Data privacy and compliance in financial technology
Track 5: Community Partnership & Member Development
Focus: Building strategic relationships and growing membership
Key Projects:
- Develop partnerships with workforce development agencies
- Create relationships with mental health and behavioral wellness organizations
- Build connections with creative arts and environmental justice groups
- Design member acquisition strategies for dual constituencies
- Establish referral networks with justice system reform organizations
Required Knowledge Areas:
- Credit union membership development strategies
- Community organizing and stakeholder engagement
- Partnership development with government and nonprofit sectors
- Social entrepreneurship ecosystem mapping
Track 6: Mental Health & Behavioral Wellness Integration
Focus: Innovating proactive wellness strategies in financial services
Key Projects:
- Develop Stress Free Zone workshop integration with financial counseling
- Create assessment tools measuring behavioral wellness outcomes
- Design support systems for families in challenging situations
- Build frameworks supporting justice-involved individuals' financial recovery
- Research preventive mental health approaches in financial stress
Required Knowledge Areas:
- Mental health and behavioral wellness best practices
- Trauma-informed financial counseling approaches
- Community-based intervention strategies
- Creative arts therapy and financial wellness integration
Track 7: Media & Content Development
Focus: Storytelling and community engagement through media
Key Projects:
- Create content showcasing purpose-driven entrepreneurs and displaced worker success stories
- Develop educational materials on financial resilience and recovery
- Produce multimedia content connecting purpose discovery with financial empowerment
- Design communication strategies for credit union member engagement
- Build awareness campaigns for innovative financial services
Required Knowledge Areas:
- Media production and content strategy
- Financial literacy communication and education
- Community storytelling and engagement techniques
- Social media and digital marketing for financial institutions
Professional Development & Learning Outcomes
Credit Union Formation Expertise
- Charter Application Process: Hands-on experience with state and federal credit union formation
- Regulatory Compliance: Deep understanding of NCUA regulations and ongoing compliance requirements
- Field of Membership Design: Expertise in creating inclusive membership criteria for diverse constituencies
- Financial Projections: Skills in building sustainable business models for mission-driven financial institutions
Social Impact Finance Skills
- CDFI Certification: Knowledge of Community Development Financial Institution pathways and benefits
- Impact Measurement: Frameworks for assessing both financial viability and social outcomes
- Mission-Driven Lending: Product development for underserved populations and social entrepreneurs
- Community Development: Strategies for using financial services to drive social change
Crisis Financial Management
- Emergency Lending: Specialized knowledge in serving displaced workers and individuals in financial crisis
- Trauma-Informed Services: Approaches to financial counseling that address underlying stress and trauma
- Career Transition Support: Financial products and services supporting major life transitions
- Family Crisis Management: Tools for supporting families navigating challenging circumstances
Program Structure & Timeline
Phase 1: Foundation (Months 1-3)
Orientation & Core Training:
- Credit union regulations and formation requirements
- Social impact finance and CDFI certification
- Mental health and behavioral wellness integration
- Community organizing and stakeholder engagement
Initial Projects:
- Market research with displaced workers and social entrepreneurs
- Regulatory analysis for innovative credit union services
- Stakeholder mapping and partnership identification
- Initial business plan development
Phase 2: Development (Months 4-6)
Deep Track Specialization:
- Track-specific pr
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