Community

Just over a year ago, my family returned to the San Luis Valley after nearly two decades away. I was welcomed into the Alamosa Community through my employment at First Southwest Bank, the Chamber of Commerce, a church community, and the people I meet each day. I have been reminded of the wonderful way people in the Valley acknowledge and take care of each other, which builds our community strength. This is evidenced in small and more complex ways like holding doors for each other, a shared love of green chili, local school’s triumphs, community traditions, honoring each other’s right of Free Speech, and reaching out to those in pain. While we do not always do this perfectly, we still strive to achieve this ideal. Together, we define community through these daily actions and uphold Tocqueville’s premise that strength resides in community.

Believing this, a value that First Southwest Bank has embraced is, “Community at our Core.” One of our goals as a community development financial institution (CDFI) bank is to give back to our community, to make it even stronger. This is an essential responsibility we hold as our “North Star.” In a recent First Southwest Bank employee survey, the number one reason people continue to work at our bank is the purpose and vision to empower individuals and businesses in the communities we serve. With this shared resolve, we strive to be financially responsible through our support of community efforts such as improving downtown tourism options, a commitment to environmental responsibility, sustaining small businesses, supporting expansion of early childhood education, and giving our support to events that build community. However, we recognize that we cannot and do not achieve this alone. We know that we need schools, businesses, neighbors, community organizations, and most importantly, you.

To build strength, a community needs to lean in – each of us in our own ways. As a financial institution, we lean in through fiscal support to find creative ways to fund opportunities. The chef adds a pinch of saffron and takes pride in the small details. The healthcare worker serves strangers to show love. The farmer who plants and works for good yield demonstrates hope and tireless effort. The mechanic keeps us moving forward. A teacher spends the weekend planning lessons and builds the future. A grandparent babysits, so a parent can work and reminds us that we need each other. A groomer keeps my dog happy, which makes me happy. As a family, we cheer each other on and show up. As an individual, I lean in through volunteering and helping when someone needs a small kindness. The difference making moments are infinite. No community finds strength through isolation; we each hold a small responsibility to lean in to support our community.

This month, First Southwest Bank’s team challenges our neighbors, family and friends to lean into community, to accept the responsibility to make small unique differences. These finite moments will build something greater than each of us and strengthen our community. If we believe that our strength resides in how we take care of each other and our communities, we can each make a difference. Join us!