Supporting those who serve: meet Miranda

May is Military Appreciation Month, a time to pause and recognize the service, sacrifice and resilience of military members, veterans and their families. But true appreciation goes beyond words or a moment on the calendar. It shows up in the everyday systems, relationships and community support that help veterans build stability during service and long after the uniform comes off. Financial security, access to trusted institutions and consistent local support all play a critical role in that journey.

For us, appreciation isn’t just something we say. It’s something we practice. As a member-owned, people-first financial cooperative, we believe supporting those who serve means standing alongside them through life’s transitions, stresses and milestones, which comes to life through long standing community partnerships that reflect our values in action.

One of those partnerships is through our Live Oak and Bulverde Financial Health Centers, where our specialists regularly volunteer with Soldiers’ Angels, a nonprofit dedicated to providing aid, comfort and resources to military members, veterans and their families. We sat down with Miranda Horner, Member Relationship Specialist at our Bulverde Financial Health Center, to learn more about this important work, and what it means for the community in ways that are consistent, human and lasting.

Everything we do inside and outside our locations ties back to helping people feel more stable, supported and hopeful.”

On finding her way to Credit Human

When people ask me what I do at Credit Human, I usually start with my title, but the truth is, my work goes far beyond a job description. I’m a single mother, full-time employee and full-time student working toward my bachelor’s degree. I’ve been in the financial industry since 2017 and joined Credit Human in August 2022. What brought me here, and keeps me here, is the belief that financial health, dignity and community support are deeply connected. It’s reflected not only in my conversations with members, but also in how my teammates and I show up for the community.

What a typical day looks like

No two days look exactly the same for me and that’s one of the things I love most about my role. On any given day I might be helping a member work through financial stress or volunteering with community partners like Soldier’s Angels. At the Financial Health Centers, we help out the community in different ways. That might mean volunteering with nonprofits, setting up tables at local events or giving presentations about financial health. Everything we do inside and outside our locations ties back to helping people feel more stable, supported and hopeful.

On partnering with Soldier’s Angels

One of the partnerships I’m most proud of is our work with Soldier’s Angels. For more than four years, teams from Bulverde and Live Oak Financial Health Centers have volunteered with this nonprofit, supporting veterans and active-duty service members in meaningful, hands-on ways.

We regularly volunteer at the Soldier’s Angels warehouse where we:

• Assemble lunchboxes for veterans receiving care at hospitals
• Put together care packages with essential hygiene items, like toothpaste, deodorant and menstrual products for service members stationed overseas.

We typically volunteer at least once a month, and sometimes more often depending on the need. It’s not about recognition. It’s about consistency and being there when people need support. When we volunteer there, we put together lunchboxes for veterans who might not have had anything to eat that day. Knowing that something so simple can make a difference—that stays with you.

On supporting the whole person

Working at Credit Human hasn’t just helped me support others. It’s helped me grow personally, too. Since joining the organization, I’ve paid down a lot of debt, raised my credit score and built emergency savings and financial slack. I’ve also reached a goal I’m incredibly proud of: buying my first home on my own as a single mom. It’s easy to be present and work hard when you’re part of a financial institution that truly focuses on bettering everyone—our members, our community and even us as employees.

Why this work matters to me

May is Military Appreciation Month and while this is an important time to recognize service and sacrifice, our support for veterans and military families doesn’t start or stop with a calendar month. Through partnerships like Soldier’s Angels, we’re able to live out Credit Human’s commitment to social sustainability. We try to meet real needs, strengthen our community and recognize that financial health is deeply human.

There’s a quote I keep on my phone and laptop that reminds me why I do this work:

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

If I’m ever feeling overwhelmed, financially or otherwise, it reminds me that it might feel impossible today, but there is always a way forward.

A partnership built on consistency and care

When veterans have access to stable, people-focused financial institutions and strong community partners, they’re better positioned to focus on what comes next, whether that’s caring for their families, buying a home, starting a business or simply finding their footing after service.

Through partnerships like Soldiers’ Angels, and through the everyday work happening inside our Financial Health Centers, we strive to be part of that support system by showing up consistently, listening closely and helping people move forward with confidence. If you or someone you love is navigating a financial transition, you don’t have to do it alone. We invite you to visit a Financial Health Center to connect with a specialist who can offer judgment-free guidance, practical tools and support rooted in your goals and your life.

Learn more about Soldiers’ Angels

Soldiers’ Angels is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing aid, comfort and resources to service members, veterans and their families. Through the power of volunteers, the organization supports the military community with a series of year-round campaigns and programs that recognize special events, holidays and ongoing needs. Soldiers’ Angels works to ensure that no soldier goes unloved, even after they come home. You can learn more and get involved at soldiersangels.org.