Bank of America has announced $3.97 million in grants to 104 Los Angeles-area nonprofits—including the Antelope Valley Domestic Violence Council—intended to help drive economic opportunity and upward mobility for individuals and families.
The nonprofits receiving funding primarily provide workforce development services building pathways to employment, including providing education and resources to rebuild careers that were impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Additional programs funded by the grants support basic needs such as hunger relief, health care and emergency shelter.
“The strategic investment into immediate short-term and longer-term needs has been key in helping disadvantaged communities progress as society and the economy begin to safely reopen,’’ said Raul Anaya, president of Bank of America Los Angeles. “By investing in Los Angeles’ incredible network of nonprofits, Bank of America provides philanthropic capital to help advance economic and social progress, enabling our region to succeed.’’
It’s the first of two rounds of grants to be issued by the bank in 2021.
Some nonprofits are already putting the bank’s recent round of investments to work. For example, JVS SoCal, which continues to see a demand for its services due to the lingering economic impacts of COVID-19, is using its funds to provide career-readiness training to residents in low-income areas across Los Angeles County for jobs in health care, medical back-office support, apartment management, and in banking. More than 70 percent of JVS’ clientele are Latino and Black.
The P.F. Bresee Foundation sees high unemployment and socio-economic isolation in Central Los Angeles and is utilizing its funds to train and mentor youth from low-income families on such soft skills as resume writing, email etiquette, and emotional intelligence. The program generally secures jobs for youth after training.
EXP is looking to reach hundreds of underserved high school students across Los Angeles County to improve graduation rates and prepare them for college or careers.
