Lynthia Romney, 914-238-2145/914-589-2140 romneycom@gmail.com
Jericho Project Recognized as a Neighborhood Builder by Bank of America
Organization will receive leadership training and $200, 000 in flexible funding
NEW YORK, NY – March 12 – The Bank of America Charitable Foundation has named Jericho Project a 2014 Neighborhood Builder. Currently marking its tenth anniversary, the Neighborhood Builders® program is a strategic investment in communities that combines $200,000 in flexible funding with leadership training for high-performing nonprofits and their executives.
Jericho Project has helped thousands of homeless and at-risk New Yorkers transform their lives for the better, and today serves 1,600 adults and families, including 550 veterans. Through its seven residences in Harlem and the Bronx and a network of supportive apartments, Jericho Project provides comprehensive counseling enabling residents to obtain and retain jobs, maintain sobriety and reunite with their families.
“New York City has made strong inroads reducing veteran homelessness over the past year,” said Jeff Barker, New York City president, Bank of America. “With this funding and leadership training, Jericho Project is poised to make an even greater impact in its efforts to combat homelessness among veterans by assisting those at-risk before they lose their homes.”
With the support of expert program specialists and case managers, 95% of Jericho’s residents maintain housing stability and 90% of those with substance abuse disorders maintain sobriety. As a recipient of the Bank of America Neighborhood Builders Award, Jericho Project will be able to embark on a three-year pilot to provide employment services to prevent increased homelessness among veterans, as well as expand housing and employment services throughout New York City.
“The earlier that we can reach at-risk veterans with the stability of housing and the tools to secure employment, the more promising their future will be,” said Tori Lyon, Executive Director at Jericho Project and architect of its Veterans Initiative in 2006. “We are grateful to Bank of America for their invaluable leadership training and financial support. Together, we can end homelessness at its roots.”
The Neighborhood Builders program recognizes nonprofits for their significant impact in addressing needs related to community development, basic human services or workforce development and education. In New York City, Brooklyn-based St. John’s Bread and Life also received this year’s award. Nationally, over the last ten years Bank of America has invested $160 million in 800 nonprofit organizations and provided training to 1,600 nonprofit leaders. www.jerichoproject.org.
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