Credit union leaders and guests gathered for the Richard Myles Johnson Foundation (RMJ) Donor Appreciation Gala on Monday night before REACH 2025. The evening is a favorite among attendees dedicated to supporting financial education across California and Nevada, celebrating another year of expanded outreach and innovation.
(View and download event photos from the REACH 2025 Photo Galleries)
This year’s gala, sponsored exclusively by Velera, transported attendees to the Desert White House in Indio, CA, known for its iconic mid-century modern architecture in the heart of Coachella Valley. RMJ Foundation supporters and guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while mingling.
The foundation highlighted the successful maturity of its recent program updates which continue driving engagement. One of these include the Bite Of Reality2 App, now leveraged by hundreds of credit unions across 16 states to deliver a fun and impactful educational experience. The Life Simulation Program is also being used to help credit union staff and leadership better understand the realities of financial and emotional distress for low-income families.
Never has there been more of a need to reach young people with vital financial decision-making information than now. Bite Of Reality targets teenagers ages 15 to 18, providing solid financial education, such as car buying, home buying, and budgeting — using experiential learning. The funding provided each year by credit unions and credit union organizations serves as a positive public advocacy tool and helps credit unions fulfill their mission of serving communities.
As in past years, the foundation will host a Bite Of Reality session during the REACH 2025 week, showcasing the program’s value to credit union professionals and the local students and communities they serve. The foundation remains committed to honoring the legacy of its namesake, credit union pioneer and icon Richard Myles Johnson, who dedicated decades to the credit union movement and philosophy.
As a sponsor, Velera continues to empower credit unions with transformative fintech solutions, reinforcing the strong partnership between credit unions and the RMJ Foundation’s mission.
RMJ Foundation Executive Director Tena Lozano thanked 2025 donors, supporters, attendees and Velera for their support.
“It’s a privilege to gather here and thank all of you for making our mission possible,” Lozano said. “In 2025, we saw our reach expand dramatically, more than hitting our goal. Thanks to your dedication, we continue to sustain that momentum, guaranteeing more young people have the tools to build a secure financial future.”
Attendees and League staff will be sharing photos, comments, and memories through LinkedIn at #CUatREACH.
REACH is one of the credit union industry’s premier annual events, attracting leaders and system partners from across California, Nevada, and the United States. It is held from October 27-30 at JW Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert, CA this year.
