LAFAYETTE, La.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A New Vision Leadership Foundation of Acadiana (New Vision), a nonprofit that works to educate and empower at-risk youth, received a $10,000 Partnership Grant Program (PGP) award at a ceremonial check presentation Friday from Home Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas).
The organization will use the funds to support its science, technology, engineering and math (S.T.E.M.) education programs in minority communities, said CEO Erica Williams.
“We typically raise funds through car washes and a concession where we sell funnel cakes,” said Ms. Williams. “If we hadn’t received the grant, making up those funds would take a lot of funnel cakes and car washes.”
Through this program, FHLB Dallas member institutions contribute $500 up to $4,000 to a community-based organization (CBO), which FHLB Dallas matches at a 3:1 ratio to provide the CBO up to $12,000 in grant money. In 2018, FHLB Dallas has awarded $300,000 in PGP funds through 31 member institutions to assist 32 CBOs. Combined with the $114,010 contributed by FHLB Dallas members, a total of $414,010 has been awarded to the organizations.
New Vision seeks to educate, expose and empower at-risk youth to be the best in all aspects of life, through college readiness, professional development and civic engagement. Ms. Williams started the organization in 2014 to provide positive experiences and role models for minority youth.
“I saw kids coming home from school with no parents there and no positive activities,” she said. “I wanted them to be exposed to things beyond what they were seeing in their communities, to positive experiences and to people who look like them who are doing positive things.”
The 80 people currently in New Vision, in partnership with CGI Federal, recently placed third in the District Congressional App Challenge for an app they created called Rescue Me. It connects victims of disasters with resources such as Red Cross, food banks and emergency personnel, and identifies victim locations for speedy rescue. The app is on display at the U.S. Capitol for one year.
The group has also been honored with the Greater Southwest Black Chamber of Commerce Youth Trailblazer Award and the founder of New Vision received the Adult Trailblazer Award.
“Home Bank is happy to support A New Vision Leadership Foundation of Acadiana in its mission,” said Brandon Kelly, Community Reinvestment Act director at Home Bank. “We value the support of FHLB Dallas in partnering with us on this grant. It is rewarding to be able to serve the community in this way.”
Supporting and investing in communities in partnership with member institutions such as Home Bank is a prominent part of FHLB Dallas’ mission, said Greg Hettrick, first vice president and director of Community Investment.
“Programs such as this one are working to better our communities, and that’s an endeavor we are happy to support, along with our member institutions,” he said.
About Home Bank
With 39 locations across South Louisiana and Western Mississippi, Home Bank is committed to serving the needs of its communities. Personal banking has always been Home Bank’s trademark, and that tradition continues as the company grows, invests and serves its clients and community. For more information about Home Bank, visit home24bank.com.
About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank system created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $73.7 billion as of September 30, 2018, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced advances and other credit products to approximately 825 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. Visit fhlb.com for more information.
