Harlem RBI announced today that it received $500,000 from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation to support its Project Coach program helps teens gain the skills necessary to enter the workforce and ensure they are highly competitive for college and beyond.
The contribution includes a $150,000 Bank of America Workforce Development and Education grant, as well as an additional commitment of $350,000 to support the Project Coach program through 2018.
“Our long-term relationship with Bank of America has been one that Harlem RBI greatly values and we are honored to receive this incredible grant of $500,000 to support our Project Coach program,” says Rich Berlin, Executive Director of Harlem RBI. “This grant will allow us to have a lasting impact on the lives of our youth as they continue to develop their skills in the workplace and in their future careers, which will ultimately bring about positive change to our communities.”
Bank of America has been a proud partner of Harlem RBI for over 10 years, including naming Harlem RBI as a winner of the prestigious Bank of America Neighborhood Builders® Award in 2007.
“Harlem RBI’s Project Coach has played an instrumental role in our community, connecting inner city youth with opportunities they otherwise may not have access to,” said Maurice Coleman, Bank of America Merrill Lynch Senior Vice President, Community Development Banking. “By providing a fun and safe environment through a variety of sports-based team-building and leadership programs, they better prepare local youth for college and careers, ultimately setting them up for success.”
To further inspire youth participating in the program help them to recognize their potential, Harlem RBI and Bank of America hosted an interactive chat with New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira on August 6. Current Project Coach participants had a unique opportunity to meet the three-time All Star at Yankee Stadium. During the event, Teixeira spoke about his experiences working on a team and encouraged them to prepare for a winning future. Engaging with 12 Harlem RBI students, between the ages of 14-16, Teixeira discussed topics relating to building successful careers, including the importance of continued education and taking teamwork from the field into the workforce.
“As a Harlem RBI Board Member, I am incredibly grateful to Bank of America and its generous support of our organization,” said Mark Teixeira. “The experience of working your first job in your teenage years is so memorable while teaching you lifelong lessons. Bank of America’s Workforce Development grant will allow Harlem RBI to continue providing these critical opportunities for inner-city youth to learn and grow on the job and prepare them for successful careers in the future.”
The Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s Workforce Development and Education grants are awarded to nonprofits focused on providing access for unemployed and underemployed people, veterans, youth and those with disabilities to job opportunities, training and mentor programs to ensure academic and career success.
To learn more about Harlem RBI, visit www.harlemrbi.org.
To learn more about Bank of America’s Corporate Social Responsibility programs and practices visit www.bankofamerica.com/about.
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