by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Despite a difficult economic climate, Bank of America continues to support its “Neighborhood Excellence Initiative” and announced its latest round of grants totaling $450,000 at a recent ceremony at The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens.
The initiative is Bank of America’s signature philanthropic program created to recognize and reward community-based organizations, local heroes and student leaders who contribute to the betterment of their communities. The program focuses on education, community development/neighborhood preservation, arts and culture, and health and human services.
“It’s nice for Bank of America to be out there giving money at a time like this,” said Sandra Mathis, an attorney with Rogers Towers who was recognized as a “Local Hero” by Bank of America. “I was humbled and proud to be honored with all of the other people who do so much to help our community.”
Under the program, “Local Heroes” are defined as those who contribute significantly to the health of their neighborhood through volunteer service and civic engagement. By being recognized through the program, the recipient is able to direct a $5,000 donation from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation to an eligible nonprofit of his or choice.
Mathis chose Family Nurturing Center of Florida, where she has been active for about five years and is now president of the organization’s board of directors. In addition to Mathis, four others received the awards. Mai Keisling directed her grant to the University of North Florida Foundation. Drew Prusiecki directed his grant to the Florida Theatre. Patricia Vaughn directed her grant to the Interchurch Coalition for Action Reconciliation and Empowerment. Dan Bradford directed his grant to The Bridge of Northeast Florida.
“Neighborhood Builders” is the nonprofit category of the Neighborhood Excellence Initiative that provides $200,000 in unrestricted grant funding and training through the Neighborhood Excellence Leadership Program. The Jacksonville recipients for 2010 are the Youth Crisis Center, an organization that provides safe shelter, counseling and life skills training for at-risk youth in Jacksonville; and Community Connections, which provides housing and support to women and families in need.
“Through our Neighborhood Excellence Initiative, we are helping to generate meaningful and cumulative economic and social impact at the local level where it’s needed most,” said Gregory Smith, Jacksonville and Northeast Florida Market president. “In Jacksonville and across the country, we are leveraging the combined strength of our philanthropy and lending and investing initiatives to help set opportunity in motion for organizations, families, individuals and entire neighborhoods.”
Students leaders are also recognized through the Neighborhood Excellence Initiative. Teens with a drive for improving their communities participated in paid, eight-week internships at Jacksonville nonprofits this summer and, later, gathered in Washington, D.C., for a weeklong summit to learn how service creates positive change in communities. These leaders included: Angela Ardian, a recent graduate of Mandarin High School; Dino Medic, a senior at Samuel W. Wolfson High School; Shane Owens, a recent graduate of Bishop Kenny High School; and Jenny Lyn Silva, a recent graduate of Forrest High School. Each interned at Communities In Schools Jacksonville. The fifth recipient, Rebecca Stiner, is a recent graduate of St. Augustine High School and interned at Habitat for Humanity St. Augustine/St. Johns County.
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