UCU Helps New Member Claim $22,500 in Grants to Purchase Condo

6/25/2026

Catharine Murray was introduced to UCU with a clear goal in mind: to purchase a condo close to her family in a coastal Maine community. What she didn’t know was how her interaction with the UCU team would completely change her home buying experience.

Having already picked out a condo, she signed up for a First-Time Homebuyer course, presented by Community Concepts and hosted by UCU, interested in the $5,000 grant opportunity that comes with completing the course. That’s where she met Beth Beaudoin, UCU’s Mortgage Origination Manager, who was teaching the lending portion of the course. Catharine left the course with much more than the grant information that originally motivated her to sign up—she made a connection with Beth and the UCU team that proved to be much more impactful.

UCU’s support continued well beyond the classroom. After meeting with Beth to discuss her options, Catharine learned about grant opportunities she had not been offered through her previous lender. With the help of Beth, Stacy Fortin, Mortgage Loan Originator, and the rest of the UCU real estate team, she not only received the $5,000 Maine State Housing Advantage Credit from the homebuyer course, but UCU also helped her secure a $17,500 Housing Our Workforce (HOW) grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLB)!

Throughout her experience, Catharine was struck by the team’s responsiveness, patience, and willingness to go the extra mile solely for her benefit. From submitting grant documentation to answering questions quickly and even attending the closing in person, UCU made the process feel collaborative and supportive.

When asked about her experience, she shared: “Everyone was just super helpful, kind, friendly, and efficient. It felt really empowering to not feel at the mercy of lawyers and bankers taking my money. It felt much more like a team experience, because I was actually able to bring my own understanding and intelligence to it.”

Today, Catharine isn’t just settling into her new membership with UCU, but she is settling into her new home in a community she loves, close to family. She credits UCU with working hard on her behalf and helping her access financial opportunities that truly benefited her. Catharine’s experience reflects the value of having a knowledgeable, dedicated team by your side.

Pictured: Catharine (left) with UCU Mortgage Origination Manager, Beth Beaudoin; Flowers and a card sent to Beth and Stacey Fortin from Catharine.