Judeo-Christian Outreach Center (JCOC) is honored to have been named a 2019 Bank of America Neighborhood Champion last night! Bank of America made this exciting announcement at its Hampton Roads 2019 Community Celebration held at the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, VA. Two grant awards were given in this region. JCOC is happy to stand side by side with the second awardee Lackey Clinic of Yorktown. [Watch Todd Walker accept the award.]
Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builders are, according to the official media advisory, “nonprofits who are advancing economic mobility and providing leadership to solve tough community challenges. Each awardee receives a 2-year, $200,000 grant, and a year of leadership training for the Executive Director and an Emerging Leader, an opportunity to access capital, and access to a network of peer organizations across the U.S. It is one of the nation’s largest philanthropic investment in nonprofit leadership, with $240 million invested over more than 15 years.”
Proud JCOC board members and staff were in attendance as Charlie Henderson, Hampton Roads Market President, Bank of America, presented the check to Executive Director Todd Walker. Half of the funding is slated to be used for existing feeding and housing programs. The remaining half will go towards rebuilding JCOC’s campus, making way for 38 new single occupancy apartments (affordable housing), kitchen, dining hall and administrative offices.
Todd shared, “I know before I lay my head down on the pillow tonight, there’s going to be somebody that comes home with no food in the refrigerator, and someone that will sleep outside tonight as cold as it is. We’re going to make sure we use the funding, the training we receive, and the networking to make sure we extend our arms as far as we can in the community to lift as many people up as we can.”
“Too many individuals living on the margin are limited by their zip code and unable to create a better life for themselves and their families through good jobs or affordable housing,” said Charlie Henderson, Bank of America’s Hampton Roads Market President. “That’s why we’re helping to build pathways to economic mobility. By addressing issues surrounding workforce development and education, basic needs and community development. We’re committed to advancing a more diverse and inclusive society by expanding communities and opportunities and support equitable solutions that will enable low income communities to grow and thrive.”
Thank you Bank of America Neighborhood Builders!