BAC Community Bank partners with FHL Bank San Francisco to fund Opportunity Junction’s mental health services
By Josef Britschgi, Marketing & Communication Administrator, BAC Community Bank
BAC Community Bank recently helped secure funding for a nonprofit workforce development organization in Antioch.
Through a collaboration with the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBank San Francisco) and its AHEAD economic development grant program, BAC Community Bank helped to provide $70,000 in funding to Antioch’s Opportunity Junction for the expansion of its mental health services.
“It is a privilege to stand by Opportunity Junction and other grassroots community organizations,” said Dana Bockstahler, BAC Community Bank CEO. “We are honored to assist in providing the vital financial support that fuels their unwavering dedication to making a positive impact on local lives.”
With a mission to “help motivated Contra Costa County job seekers develop the skills and confidence to launch careers that lead to financial security,” Opportunity Junction provides no-cost job training and wraparound support to income-eligible individuals with barriers to employment.
Opportunity Junction President and CEO Brianna Robinson said her organization’s Administrative Careers Training program has offered mental health services to participants since 2003, but this BAC Community Bank-sponsored grant will now make those services available to all individuals enrolled in the Healthcare Career Pathway and Career Counseling and Placement Assistance programs.
“We are deeply grateful for this support,” Robinson continued. “We recognized in 2003 that addressing trauma was critical to helping job seekers overcome barriers to employment. As we have grown over the years and added more programs, we are excited to offer these services to all our job seekers with the goal of supporting high graduation and employment retention rates.”
The AHEAD program enables FHLBank San Francisco members like BAC Community Bank to give a critical boost to local programs and projects that target pressing community needs and bring greater opportunity to underserved populations. AHEAD grants are awarded annually and delivered through FHLBank San Francisco member financial institutions to local community organizations for projects and programs that benefit lower-income and underserved communities.
Since the program’s inception in 2004, FHLBank San Francisco has awarded more than $25 million in AHEAD grants to over 800 economic development projects in Arizona, California and Nevada. In 2023, the FHLBank San Francisco board of directors allocated $4 million to the AHEAD program, more than doubling the funding in prior years, and awarded grants to 75 projects. BAC Community Bank applied for the grant in partnership with Opportunity Junction and was awarded the $70,000 after a competitive selection process. This is the fourth year that BAC Community Bank has participated in the program.
“Each year, we are inspired by the wide range of impactful programs that are brought to us by our member institutions through the AHEAD grant program,” said Eric Cicourel, FHLBank San Francisco senior vice president and community investment officer. “We were particularly encouraged by the large number of unique members who participated in this cycle, including BAC Community Bank. These financial institutions are pillars in their communities and have an intimate understanding of the needs of the communities they serve. We are proud to partner with our members to extend a lifeline to so many compelling and deserving organizations.”
For those interested in applying for the AHEAD Program in 2024, please contact BAC Community Bank or visit the FHLBank San Francisco website at www.fhlbsf.com to learn more.
About BAC Community Bank
BAC Community Bank is California’s 10th oldest state-chartered bank. Established in 1965, BAC operates branch offices throughout San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and eastern Contra Costa counties. Centrally headquartered in Stockton, California, BAC is continuously recognized for its strength and banking excellence in the communities it serves. BAC Community Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Equal Opportunity Employer. Member FDIC. More information is available online at www.bankbac.com.
About Opportunity Junction
Opportunity Junction was founded in 2000 on the fundamental belief that everyone who works hard deserves the opportunity to succeed despite facing personal and systemic barriers. The organization provides training, support, work experience and placement assistance to empower Contra Costa job seekers to achieve financial security. More information is available online at www.opportunityjunction.org.
About the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco
The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is a member-driven cooperative helping local lenders in Arizona, California, and Nevada build strong communities, create opportunity, and change lives for the better. The tools and resources we provide to our member financial institutions — commercial banks, credit unions, industrial loan companies, savings institutions, insurance companies, and community development financial institutions — promote homeownership and expand access to quality housing and boost economic development. Together with our members and other partners, we are making the communities we serve more vibrant, equitable, and resilient. More information is available online at www.fhlbsf.com.
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Oppty Junction BAC & FHLB SF logos
