CHICAGO, March 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (Bank) is pleased to announce an Illinois recipient of its 2016 Community First® Awards. The awards recognize outstanding achievements of the Bank's member institutions and their local partners as they work together to strengthen their communities through affordable housing and economic development initiatives. Award categories include partnership, project or program, pioneer, and emerging leader. Award winners identify a nonprofit organization to receive up to $10,000. At its member meeting on March 11, in Bloomington, Illinois, the Bank honored one award winner.
Pioneer Award
Martha Herm, past executive director of the Center for Prevention of Abuse, received the pioneer award in recognition of her work leading the organization's mission of building a community free from violence and abuse in the city of Peoria, Illinois. During her 25 years of dedicated service, Ms. Herm has been an unrelenting advocate for changing laws, changing culture, and changing dangerous behaviors with regard to interpersonal violence. South Side Trust & Savings Bank (www.southsidebank.com), also located in Peoria, is a proud supporter of Ms. Herm and the Center for Prevention of Abuse. Ms. Herm continues to serve on the Board of Directors at the Center for Prevention of Abuse and is also a vice president of South Side Trust & Savings Bank. The Center for Prevention of Abuse accepted the $10,000 award on behalf of Ms. Herm.
"On Friday, March 11, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago was proud to present a Community First Award to a true community development pioneer who tirelessly devotes her time, talents, and passion to make Peoria a safe environment for all people. It was a pleasure to recognize our member and its community partner," said Suzi Thackston, Community Investment Officer, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.
In the coming weeks, the Bank will announce three more Community First Award winners at member meetings in Green Bay, Wisconsin and Oak Brook, Illinois. The Bank also supports the community investment activities of its members by offering forgivable grants for eligible projects through its competitive Affordable Housing Program; down payment closing cost assistance through its Downpayment Plus® Program; favorably priced loans and credit products through its Community Investment Cash Advances; and lower-interest-rate, longer-term financing for community development organizations through its Community First Fund.
About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago is a $70.7 billion wholesale bank serving the needs of member housing finance institutions located in Illinois and Wisconsin. Our mission is to partner with our member shareholders to provide them competitively priced funding, a reasonable return on their investment, and support for community investment activities.
The U.S. Congress created the Federal Home Loan Bank System, which includes 11 Federal Home Loan Banks, in 1932 to promote housing finance, but each Bank is wholly owned by its member institutions. For more information about the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, please visit www.fhlbc.com or @FHLBC on Twitter. "Community First" and "Downpayment Plus" are registered trademarks of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160314/343850LOGO
SOURCE Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Share this article