Columbus, OH, May 13, 2024 — Are you one of the millions of Americans silently struggling
as groceries, gas and housing costs skyrocket? According to a 2023 survey by Payroll.com, over three-quarters of
people in the U.S. share this burden, and it's no wonder as the cost of
everyday items, like gas and groceries, continues to skyrocket.
Telhio Credit Union was selected by the producers of Opportunity Knocks, the
award-winning personal finance reality TV series that recently premiered Season
2 on PBS.org, PBS Passport and on WOSU on Monday, May 6, 2024, and
continues to air every Monday for 12 weeks. Opportunity Knocks creates an
interactive experience in which viewers can use the show's grant-funded tools, The Opportunity Finder and The Opportunity Coach, to empower themselves to take the same actionable steps as
Wesley and Maegan Scherer took on their journey from financial stress to
financial stability.
"We are
thrilled and honored to be featured in this award-winning television
series," shared Derrick Bailey, CEO of Telhio Credit Union. "This
recognition is a testament to the critical financial services our team provides
to change lives every day and underscores our values of caring and commitment."
Telhio Credit
Union was selected to participate in the series because of its dedication to
financial empowerment and efforts to serve communities that historically have
been abandoned by mainstream financial institutions. All credit unions are
not-for-profit. Additionally, Telhio is Community Development Financial
Institution-certified, which means that it has a mission to provide financing
to underserved communities. In the series, it provides a personal loan to Wesley
and Maegan Scherer, which is a pivotal point in turning their financial despair
into a strategy to keep more of their own money.
Jamie Strayer, creator of The
Opportunity Initiative and Opportunity Knocks and executive producer, wants
viewers to know, "Everyone deserves financial opportunities. Opportunity
Knocks levels the playing field and breaks down barriers for families to get
ahead. Telhio's work with the Scherer family shows the miracle that happens
when people receive fair access to affordable credit."
Brian Spoor, showrunner, director and executive producer, shared,
"This is a show that gives meaning to my life's work." Spoor is a Prime Time Emmy-nominated director/producer
of Wahlburgers and 70 other reality TV hits, including Undercover Billionaire.
Opportunity Knocks is distributed to PBS stations nationally by
American Public Television (APT) and presenting station WXXI Public Media. The
show is funded by the nonprofit National Council for Financial Opportunities, The
Wells Fargo Foundation, Balance and Callahan and Associates. Spoor, Strayer and
Jenn George Hunter executive produce the series. In its first season,
Opportunity Knocks won the Silver Anthem Award, honoring mission-driven media
worldwide; a prestigious Silver Telly Award for Best Reality Television Program;
and The Opportunity Finder received a Gold dotComm Award.
Check local
listings for your local station's viewing times. It will also be streamed on
PBS.org, the PBS Passport app, and opportunityknocks.net.
Available for Interview:
Derrick Bailey, CEO of Telhio Credit Union, can discuss the experience of the local not-for-profit being featured in a national television series.
Jean Chatzky is CEO of HerMoney.com, former financial editor of NBC Today for 25 years, financial ambassador for AARP, and a New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-selling author. She serves as one of the financial coaches for the show.
Jamie Strayer and Brian Spoor are the creator/executive producer and director/showrunner, respectively, of Opportunity Knocks. Jamie's work securing nearly $1 billion in grants inspired the series. Brian is the prime-time Emmy-nominated director with a track record of directing and producing 70 reality TV hits including Undercover Billionaire and Wahlburgers.
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About Telhio Credit
Union
As Ohio's top SBA (Small Business
Administration) lending credit union, Telhio serves more than 68,000
individuals, families, and businesses across central and southwestern Ohio with
the newest innovative financial technology, while providing personalized
service for each member. Founded in
1934, and owned and governed by its members, Telhio's core values of caring,
commitment and integrity guide each action and decision the credit union makes.
As we celebrate 90 years, we renew our pledge to putting people over profit,
and thank our members for continued trust and support.
Telhio offers 12 branching offices in Ohio and nearly 4,000 shared branching locations nationwide. Telhio is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, or goes to school in central and southwestern Ohio and participates in the highest level of combined federal and private share savings insurance available, insuring personal deposit accounts up to $500,000. (Federally insured by NCUA. Additional coverage up to $250,000 provided to consumer account holders by Excess Share Insurance Corporation, a licensed insurance company.)
Media
Contacts
Sarah Snell
Cooke, Opportunity Knocks, sarah@cookeconsultingsolutions.com
For Telhio: Angela Krile, Krile Communications, 740-974-3948, angela@krilecommunications.com
Media Kit
Photos, video
and materials are available at: www.opportunityknocks.net/mediakit
