Delaware Business Blog

Bank of America Awards $875,000 to Delaware Nonprofits Addressing Local Workforce Development and Education Needs

By admin July 19, 2013 Business, Community & Events, Delaware, Inspiration No Comments

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation today announced $875,000 in grants to 20 nonprofits in Delaware to help connect the unemployed, underemployed, veterans, youth and those with disabilities to training and employment opportunities.

“Supporting nonprofit organizations that connect people to jobs and skills is part of our efforts to help improve the financial lives of individuals and customers in the communities we serve,” said Chip Rossi, Delaware market president for Bank of America. “A trained workforce ensures we remain competitive in an increasingly complex and competitive global economy and strengthens the economic health of Delaware.”

Some of the organizations receiving funding include:

  • Jewish Family Services of Delaware has been given a grant to implement a new program service center titled CAVE (Character, Accountability and Vocational Engagement). The program is a comprehensive, intensive, and individualized approach to workforce development for adjudicated and re-entering youth ages 16-19. The center will be Delaware’s only “one-stop” safe-haven for re-entering youth with an emphasis on life skills, educational attainment, financial literacy, and workforce development. The CAVE will be located in the City of Wilmington. The program will provide youth with skills and tools needed to gain, appreciate, and retain meaningful, long-term employment and ultimately become contributing members of a community.

  • Delaware Technical and Community College received a grant for a project to improve job placement for underserved Delawareans who complete workforce training programs at their institution. The project aims to improve job placement rates of the approximately 400 students per year who successfully complete a credential or certification program. This project equates to 60 more people being placed in a job for which they have completed a certificate or credential each year.

  • Easter Seals Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore was awarded a grant to support employment for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder or Down Syndrome. The employment rate for people with intellectual disabilities age 16 to 64 years in Delaware is 38 percent, or over 17,000 individuals. Easter Seals provides Community Experience offering group employment opportunities for approximately 190 individuals, and additionally supports 88 individuals in competitive jobs in the community.

    • Grants are also being awarded to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware, Boys and Girls Clubs of Delaware, Challenge Program, Christina Cultural Arts Center, Communities in Schools of Delaware, Connections Community Support Programs, Delaware Adolescent Program, Delaware Council on Economic Education, Delaware Futures, First State Community Loan Fund, Friendship House, Latin American Community Center, Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League, Teach For America, Tech Impact of Delaware, The Arc of Delaware and United Way of Delaware/Stand by Me.

    The Bank of America Charitable Foundation is awarding more than $22 million in grants across the United States to more than 1,050 nonprofits that support workforce development and education initiatives. According to estimates provided by grant recipients, the funding will enable community organizations to reach nearly 9 million people, match over 115,000 youth with mentors, and help around 27,000 students graduate with a degree or certification. The grants focus on low- and moderate-income communities that have been hardest hit in the economic downturn. The funding is part of the company’s intensified philanthropic focus on three core issues vital to the economic health of communities: housing, jobs and hunger and represents an important component of Bank of America’s commitment to making communities better places in which to live and do business.

    For more information on nonprofit programs and services that may qualify, or to submit an application for grant funding, please visit www.bankofamerica.com/foundation.


    Bank of America Corporate Social Responsibility

    Bank of America’s commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a strategic part of doing business globally. Our CSR efforts guide how we operate in a socially, economically, financially and environmentally responsible way around the world, to deliver for shareholders, customers, clients and employees. Our goal is to help create economically vibrant regions and communities through lending, investing and giving. By partnering with our stakeholders, we create value that empowers individuals and communities to thrive and contributes to the long-term success of our business. We have several core areas of focus for our CSR, including responsible business practices; environmental sustainability; strengthening local communities with a focus on housing, hunger and jobs; investing in global leadership development; and engaging through arts and culture. As part of these efforts, employee volunteers across the company contribute their time, passion and expertise to address issues in communities where they live and work. Learn more at www.bankofamerica.com/about and follow us on Twitter at @BofA_Community.

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