Brockton-based HarborOne Credit Union’s MultiCultural Banking Center had a very productive year in 2008.

The center, opened in September 2007 in the vacant former headquarters of the credit union in downtown, was established to deal with the adverse consequences of subprime mortgage lending and other predatory financial practices. The groups most affected were low- and moderate-income residents, minorities and immigrants.

The space was converted at considerable cost into two classrooms and a computer lab. Four HarborOne staff members were assigned there. Office space was made available free-of-charge to non-profits offering complementary services.

The Center received the Massachusetts Credit Union League’s 2008 Maxwell Award for Social Responsibility and received a $100,000 Innovation Grant from the National Credit Union Foundation to further its efforts in 2009.  The foundation looks to replicate the center through other credit unions across the country, the credit union said in a statement.