Catherine Ludgate and Chris Friesen, COO of the Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC) were the two driving forces behind establishing the Vancity Banking Centre inside ISSofBC’s Vancouver Welcome Centre. When it opened in June 2016, it was the first on-site banking center in a Canadian immigrant-serving agency.
After learning of Catherine’s passing last December, leaders at ISSofBC knew they needed to honour Catherine’s legacy and decided to dedicate the Vancity Banking Centre in her name. “Catherine truly represented the shared values of ISSofBC and Vancity,” Chris says, “and her contributions continue to better people’s lives every day.”
The Catherine Ludgate Vancity Banking Centre in Vancouver supports more than 2,000 ISSofBC refugee newcomer clients annually with opening bank accounts, ATM services and financial literacy training.
If you would like to help carry Catherine’s legacy, consider donating to and volunteering your time with an anti-poverty or social justice organization in her honour.
