Union Home Mortgage Foundation Announces Third Quarter Grant Recipients
The Union Home Mortgage Foundation, the charitable arm of Union Home Mortgage whose mission is to equip families with the tools and resources needed to achieve economic self-sufficiency, has announced its grant recipients for the third quarter. The recipients include 10 nonprofits in Ohio, Arizona and Virginia that, collectively, received grants totaling $70,500.
With this round of quarterly donations, the Foundation provided support to organizations within its operational footprint that are making a tangible impact in their communities through the advancement of financial literacy, workforce development opportunities, education and housing access.
"Union Home Mortgage believes everyone has a right to a promising economic future, which is why we partner with dynamic organizations that directly impact the lives of those in our communities," said Bill Cosgrove, President & CEO of Union Home Mortgage and Chairman of the Foundation. "We're proud to partner with these nonprofits in support of our mission to improve financial literacy, create opportunities for personal and career advancement, and make the dream of homeownership accessible for all."
The third quarter grant recipients are:
Cleveland, Ohio
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio - $5,000 to support its "Preparing Northeast Ohio for a Successful Career and Future" program. Through this initiative, youth participate in numerous sessions on budgeting, saving and investing prior to engaging in an interactive experience where they are faced with real-world implications such as supporting a family when unexpected expenses arise. The customized and supported environment allows each participant to develop the vision, skills, capacity and experiences needed to achieve a fulfilling career.
- Boys Hope Girls Hope - $7,500 in support of the organization's endeavors to address barriers to career success through individualized coaching, housing and supportive services. Postsecondary Scholars will participate in a workshop series teaching independent living, financial empowerment, self-care, etiquette and interview and job-seeking skills that correlate to development needs identified by the BHGH Coaches. High school juniors and seniors participating in the program will create a well-defined road map for their postsecondary education and career to evaluate their interests, set goals and comprehend financial costs.
- Cleveland Kids' Book Bank - $7,500 to support the delivery of thousands of books to kids in the Greater Cleveland area to foster literacy and a love of reading. In low-income neighborhoods, two out of three children don't own a single book. The Cleveland Kids' Book Bank bridges that gap by making high-quality books available for free, so all kids can own their own books. On average, the organization makes 15 book deliveries a week, equating to 30,000 books per month. In total, the organization has distributed 3.5 million free books to over 100,000 kids in need in Greater Cleveland.
- College Now Greater Cleveland - $7,500 to support postsecondary advisory services for low-income individuals through programming in over 100 middle and high schools in Northeast Ohio. The programs and services include career and college exploration, student financial aid counseling, scholarship services and mentoring. Over 29,000 students and adult learners are reached each year through the program.
- Junior Achievement - $12,000 to support programming in grades K-12 that promotes financial literacy, entrepreneurship and career readiness. These programs, which are presented by trained corporate and community partners, reach more than 5,000 low-income families annually. A more financially literate youth population will result in better economic choices later in life as well as yield a positive economic impact both locally and globally. In 2020-21, Junior Achievement reached 11,116 schools nationally, totaling 2,503,926 students.
- The City Mission - $5,000 to support the New Horizons housing program, which seeks to break the poverty cycle by providing homeless women and their families with an opportunity to secure affordable housing. When housing becomes available, a mother prepares for homeownership with specialized casework and financial planning classes. Once completed, the mother and her family will move into the home and be transferred the home deed after 24 months of proven management of full-time employment and home care.
- The Literacy Cooperative of Greater Cleveland - $5,000 to support their 2-Gen Approach of increasing literacy rates in both adults and children in Cuyahoga County. A network including early education providers, human service organizations, adult education service institutions, and community foundations are brought together through this program to help change the landscape of economic and social inequalities in our communities.
- Youth Opportunities Unlimited - $5,000 to support the Jobs for Ohio's Graduates (JOG) program. This is an in-school, classroom-based program serving the youth in Cuyahoga County by focusing on career development, high school graduation, postsecondary success, employability and leadership skills. There is also an opportunity to receive case management services outside of the classroom and attend afterschool or summer leadership activities that place people between ages 18-24 in work experiences or internships to develop a career pathway upon graduation. JOG assists approximately 770 students and recent graduates with getting on the path toward economic self-sufficiency.
Avondale, Arizona
- Homeless Youth Connection - $7,500 to support the Empowering Youth for the Future program. Through this program, coaches work together with the youth to identify needs related to housing, academics, health, hygiene, employment and independent living skills. These comprehensive service strategies engage youth experiencing homelessness in trauma-informed, client-led, strength-based interventions. Ninety-four percent of Homeless Youth Connection participating seniors stayed in school to complete their education, and 80% of graduates enroll in college, enter the military or join the workforce.
Falls Church, Virginia
- Homestretch Inc. - $8,500 in support of the Addressing Dynamic Debt Reduction Strategies (ADDRESS) program, which helps each family place 10% of its gross income into a designated savings account. Through a program-appointed credit counselor, these funds are used to help reduce debts and restore good credit, while the remaining funds are saved until the family completes the program. Upon graduation from ADDRESS, the average family sees an increase in credit score of over 100 points, and 85% of families leave with savings.
"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to provide assistance to these nonprofits that have given so much to those in their neighborhoods," said Ashley Ali, Interim Executive Director of the Union Home Mortgage Foundation. "These organizations are playing a key role in continuing to provide for communities that are in need."
Since its inception in 2015, the Foundation has distributed more than $1 million in financial support to nonprofits in 14 states. For more information on the Union Home Mortgage Foundation, visit www.uhmfoundation.org, call 440.863.3217 or email [email protected].
About the Union Home Mortgage Foundation
The Union Home Mortgage Foundation was established in 2015 as the charitable arm of independent mortgage banking company Union Home Mortgage Corp (UHM). The Foundation's mission is to equip individuals and families with the tools and resources to achieve economic self-sufficiency, specifically through education, career readiness, financial literacy, and housing. The Foundation has awarded over $1 million since its inception toward these programs to help guide families on a pathway towards responsible homeownership. Union Home Mortgage Corp. is a high-growth, full-service retail, wholesale and consumer direct lender with over 150 branches across the U.S. and over $13 billion in responsible lending per year. To learn more about Union Home Mortgage and its efforts in the community, please visit https://www.uhm.com/.
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