Velera employees are bonded by a culture of people helping people. The David Serlo Hardship Foundation (DSHF) is a prime example. Founded by PSCU’s first employee and founding President, and named in his honor, the Serlo Hardship Foundation recognizes that employees may experience an emergency or unforeseen circumstance that requires emergency financial assistance. The Foundation, funded exclusively by employee donations, is available to assist eligible employees who are experiencing a personal financial crisis and who have exhausted all other avenues for obtaining assistance.

Grants are based on:

A documentable catastrophic event (e.g., family crisis, acute illness, natural disaster, fire, weather event) and
The event is not of the recipient's own making and
The resulting financial hardship

Who is Eligible for Grants?

All full and part-time Velera employees
Employees who have worked at Velera for at least 90 days
Velera employees who are on approved leave
The catastrophic event must have occurred during the applicant's employment at Velera
Employees must have a genuine financial hardship

It is important to note that simply not being able to financially make ends meet does not qualify for a grant from the foundation. There must be a documentable catastrophic event (e.g., family crisis, acute illness, natural disaster, fire, weather event) and the event is not of the recipient's own making.

How to Apply

Download the grant application pdf

Completely fill out the application, answering all questions and save it on your local device.
Email your completed PDF application along with your most recent 3-months of bank and credit card statements and all supporting documentation to SerloHF@velera.com.
You can expect to hear back on the status of your application in roughly 2-3 days.
If your need is a true time-sensitive emergency please note that in your application. Please ensure that all of your documentation has been submitted to SerloHF@velera.com including your last three months of all bank and credit card statements.

Review Process

With the employee’s permission, your hardship application and supporting documentation will be sent to the Foundation President and Vice President.
The application, most recent 3-months of bank and credit card statements and supporting documentation is reviewed for completeness and to validate it meets all required criteria.
The President or Vice President will acknowledge receipt of application within 2 business days.
Once the application and all supporting document review is completed, and if there are no further questions, the application will be forwarded to the Funding Committee for review.
The Funding Committee reviews the anonymous application and decides whether or not the application is approved.
The Committee may request additional documentation or information prior to rendering a decision.
The Foundation’s President or Vice President will notify the employee of the Funding Committee’s decision or request for additional information as needed.
Once a decision has been reached, the President or Vice President will notify the applicant.
If approved, payments are made directly to creditors as soon as possible.

Questions?

Please direct any questions regarding the process to SerloHF@velera.com