Bank of America and Jericho Project Team Up to Fight Homelessness in New York

NEW YORK, Dec. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bank of America Charitable Foundation has announced a $25,000 grant to Jericho Project, a nationally acclaimed nonprofit that for 30 years has been ending homelessness at its roots. Through supportive housing and customized services, Jericho enables 1,500 adults and children – including 500 veterans – throughout New York City to build the cornerstones of a healthy life with housing, employment, wellness and family stability.

"Jericho is grateful for Bank of America's continuing support in helping us to close the gap for individuals and families – especially veterans – who are teetering on the brink of homelessness or have fallen into homelessness," said Tori Lyon, Jericho Project Executive Director. 

The grant is part of a series of critical needs grants given by Bank of America to support local nonprofit organizations in addressing immediate needs in the community, such as hunger and shelter, and promote financial wellness. This funding is part of the company's intensified philanthropic focus on three core issues vital to the economic health of communities – housing, jobs and hunger – and represents an important component of Bank of America's lending, investing and giving activities to help advance local economies. 

"A staggering number of veterans in New York lack access to a safe, affordable place to live, or are one paycheck away from homelessness," said Jeff Barker, New York City president, Bank of America. "Jericho's veteran initiative provides many of these brave men and women with housing and the means to a better life."

New York is experiencing record homelessness with a recent HUD study estimating 64,060 homeless people in shelters and on the street in January 2013, or 13 percent more than in January 2012. There are currently more than 52,000 people, including more than 22,000 children, living in homeless shelters on any given night in New York.  

Jericho's Veterans Initiative provides supportive and affordable housing options for homeless and at-risk veterans, including two state-of-the-art residences, Kingsbridge Terrace and Fordham Village in the Bronx, and a network of affordable apartments throughout New York City. Along with housing, Jericho's Veterans Initiative provides individualized services for employment, education, mental health and family reunification to enable veterans to regain their civilian lives with dignity.

Additionally, Jericho provides homelessness prevention services and housing assistance to veterans through its Supportive Services for Veteran Families program.        

www.jerichoproject.org.

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SOURCE Jericho Project