Banking Beyond Bars exists because we believe financial access and education shouldn’t be limited. We help formerly incarcerated individuals access the tools they need to rebuild stability, credit and confidence.
The Banking Beyond Bars program originated from a January 2023 meeting between Darryl Riley, Co-Founder of the Up From Slavery Initiative, and Scott Prior, President and CEO of Connection Credit Union. The purpose of their discussion was to explore ways to expand financial literacy and improve access to financial services for underserved populations and youth within the community. As a result of that meeting, the partnership was formed, and the Banking Beyond Bars program was launched.
Returning home should mean a fresh start, but for most it means closed doors. Without a banking relationship or direction for rebuilding credit, the cycle continues.
Banking Beyond Bars exists to break that cycle. By giving participants real access to financial tools, education, and mentorship, we help turn release into rebuilding, and rebuilding into staying free.
More likely to have poor credit if they’ve experienced incarceration personally or in their family
Average credit score for participants who started with no score and completed one year in the program
Every part of Banking Beyond Bars is built around what participants actually
need to rebuild, not what looks good on paper.
EDUCATION
Practical financial literacy, budgeting, credit, banking, taught in a way that sticks beyond the classroom.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Structured mentorship ensures participants follow through and build habits that last.
ACCESS
Direct connection to banking tools through Connection Credit Union, the foundation for a stable financial future.
The program runs over 14+ months, long enough to build real habits, structured enough to keep you moving forward.
Fill out a short application. No cost, no barriers, just commitment.
Attend three in-person classes to build your financial literacy.
Open an account with Connection Credit Union and put your knowledge into practice.
Meet your assigned money mentor for personalized financial counseling.
Leave with the habits, tools and account access to continue building your financial future.
Banking Beyond Bars is run in partnership between a community credit union and a reentry focused nonprofit. Together they combined their knowledge, resources and connections to bring Banking Beyond Bars to life.
BANKING PARTNER
Connection Credit Union provides each member of our local cooperative family, including those underserved by larger institutions, with personalized financial and education services, ensuring all our members have the tools for financial success.
COMMUNITY PARTNER
Born from lived experiences, the Up From Slavery Initiative provides underserved youth and adults of color with a pathway to freedom from the school to prison pipeline in Washington State.
Applying takes a few minutes. What comes after can change everything. No cost, no barriers, just a commitment to show up.
