Community Bank of Oak Park River Forest is pleased to announce that Pathway to a Lasting Recovery is the recipient of Community Bank’s Champion Grant. The purpose of the Champion Grant is to assist organizations in providing community outreach programs for low or moderate income individuals.
Pathway to a Lasting Recovery was founded in 2006 to provide training and employment coaching classes for recovering addicts looking to secure employment. With the downturn in the economy several years ago, Pathway to a Lasting Recovery began collaborating with another organization, Eternal Light Community Services, to teach financial literacy and entrepreneurship to individuals seeking employment in these trying economic times. Together with Eternal Light Community Services, Pathway provides weekly seminars in Maywood aimed at increasing knowledge about finances, investments and entrepreneurial opportunities.
A grant in the amount of $1,000 was presented to Pathway to a Lasting Recovery by Bernard D. Headley II, Community Lending Specialist for Community Bank. Pathway will use the Champion Grant to support their financial training program. The financial training program will provide participants with the option of using resources to reduce expenses and increase their net worth. Through the financial training program, participants will learn the advantage of establishing bank accounts for their long term financial security. The financial training program will also support participants who need additional assistance with student loan debt, collection accounts, or bankruptcy.
Through the Champion Grant, Community Bank of Oak Park River Forest encourages growth and support in economically challenged communities. Champion Grants will be awarded to qualifying organizations throughout the year. The Champion Grant application is available on the Community Bank website at www.cboprf.com.
Community Bank has been a frequent facilitator of financial literacy events, and during its sixteen year history the Bank has donated over $2 million to various local civic and charitable organizations. Community Bank of Oak Park River Forest was organized in 1996 as a locally owned bank focused on creating financial solutions for individuals, professionals, owners of closely-held businesses and nonprofit organizations in the Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park communities. Community Bank, which had assets of $320 million as of December 31, 2011, has two locations: 1001 Lake Street, Oak Park and 7777 Lake Street, River Forest. Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender
