Bank of America will provide funding and leadership training to support the nonprofit in its mission to serve individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Bank of America has named Columbus House as its 2018 Neighborhood Builder® grant recipient in Southern Connecticut. Columbus House was selected for its work in assisting those experiencing homelessness in the region by providing not only shelter and housing, but also by offering a comprehensive array of services designed to help people identify and overcome those issues that contributed to their homelessness. Bank of America will announce the award at Columbus House’s Annual Meeting on Thursday, December 6, 7:30am at the New Haven Lawn Club.
The Neighborhood Builder award is a two-year, $200,000 grant, and provides leadership training for the CEO and an emerging leader at the organization, as well as an opportunity to access capital, and a network of nonprofit peers across the country.
Since the program launched in the market in 2007, Bank of America has partnered with 17 nonprofits in Southern Connecticut, such as the Cardinal Shehan Center, Career Resources, Inc., and Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust, investing a total of $3.4 million in the community to help address issues fundamental to improving economic mobility for individuals and families in the region. Previous winners have implemented successful programs that focus on workforce development, community development and basic needs.
“The Neighborhood Builders® program has given a number of the nonprofit organizations that make Southern Connecticut a great place to live and work the power to tackle new challenges, and remove some of the barriers that exist in our community,” said Bill Tommins, Southern Connecticut market president, Bank of America. “We’re thrilled to expand our partnership with Columbus House to broaden the organization’s impact in New Haven and beyond.”
Columbus House has been dedicated to providing solutions to ending homelessness since 1982. Since then, they have also expanded their mission to not only address issues of shelter, but also to help people who are homeless move toward a successful life of independence. The organization and its employees are committed to shaping policy and advocating on behalf of all people experiencing homelessness in Connecticut, recognizing the lack of affordable housing as the state’s root cause of homelessness.
“Innovation is born out of the need to create something new when other solutions fail, and Columbus House is committed to developing innovative programs that meet the ever changing needs of people who experience homelessness or are at risk,” said Alison Cunningham, CEO, Columbus House. “Bank of America’s $200,000 Neighborhood Builders® grant provides a unique opportunity to support our existing programs while implementing new, strategic initiatives that will further our goal of one day ending homelessness in Connecticut.”
Since 2004, Bank of America has invested more than $220 million in 49 communities through Neighborhood Builders® nationwide, partnering with more than 1,000 nonprofits and helping more than 2,000 nonprofit leaders strengthen their leadership skills. The Neighborhood Builders® program is just one example of how Bank of America deploys capital in communities and builds cross-sector partnerships, advancing economic and social progress as part of its approach to responsible growth.
Columbus House
Columbus House is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has been providing solutions to homelessness since 1982. Throughout the years, Columbus House has expanded its mission and programs to include not only emergency shelter but a continuum of housing and services designed to help people who are homeless move toward independence. The agency's primary goal is to provide housing either through our own programs or through referrals throughout Hartford, Middlesex, New Haven, and New London counties to service-enriched or independent housing. Columbus House values the uniqueness of each person that we serve. We adhere to a “Person Centered Philosophy” ensuring all programs and services offered reflect that uniqueness. Columbus House follows a “Housing First” model in an effort to get people into a home as quickly as possible – many times bypassing the shelter system altogether. Our services support best practices of “Harm Reduction” and “Trauma Informed and Gender Specific Care” so that each person receives services specifically tailored to their personal goals and aspirations. For more information on their programs and services, please visit Columbus House Programs.
Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 67 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 4,400 retail financial centers, including more than 1,700 lending centers, more than 1,900 Merrill Edge investment centers and more than 1,300 business centers; approximately 16,100 ATMs; and award-winning digital banking with more than 36 million active users, including 25 million mobile users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business owners through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Contact:
Tara Burke
Bank of America
203-292-6590
tara.a.burke@bankofamerica.com
Website: www.bankofamerica.com