Immigration nonprofits overwhelmed by demand receive infusion of $1.5M from Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation

BOSTON, Oct. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As fear and confusion escalate within immigrant communities and among "Dreamers," Eastern Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to helping immigrants succeed. Today, the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation announced it has granted more than $1.5 million to 170 nonprofit organizations supporting immigrants in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, including 150 $10,000 grants through its Targeted Grant program. Eastern's Targeted Grants annually focus on an area of great need – this year's focus is supporting immigrants in our communities. 

The Targeted Grant program is just one example of Eastern's longstanding commitment to helping immigrants prosper. In September, Eastern joined The Boston Foundation, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Arbella Insurance to provide financial assistance to local beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This summer, Eastern CEO Bob Rivers joined entrepreneurs and business leaders from across the country to encourage President Trump to preserve the DACA program and called on Congress to pass legislation that provides "Dreamers" the permanent solution they deserve. 

"At Eastern Bank, we focus on doing good things to help people prosper. This includes supporting the more than 1.2 million foreign-born residents in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island," said Bob Rivers, Eastern Bank Chairman & CEO. "We believe this $1.5 million commitment will help better the lives of New England's thriving immigrant community, and are proud to stand beside them in today's climate of uncertainty."

The Targeted Grants program is a tangible manifestation of Eastern's commitment to local communities and serves as a strong and authentic connection with its recently launched brand campaign, Join Us For Good. The campaign includes an immigration-focused ad that depicts local immigrants taking the "Naturalization Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America" to become U.S. citizens accompanied by the message, "Good Welcomes."

This year's selected nonprofit organizations work to address a variety of issues facing immigrants, including: assistance for those seeking asylum, separated families, English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), adult basic education and workforce development. Others assist specific subsets of immigrant communities, including LGBTQ, women, and those serving in the U.S. military. Eastern has a deep understanding of the issues facing immigrants as a large number of its employees are immigrants, or children/grandchildren of immigrants.

All recipients will be recognized and celebrated at Eastern's annual Celebration of Social Justice on Monday, October 23, 2017 at an evening reception in Boston.  Eastern is proud to continue the Celebration of Social Justice event originally created by Wainwright Bank. As part of the celebration, the Wainwright Social Justice Award annually recognizes nonprofits and individuals who have achieved outstanding success in addressing social justice issues. This year, Chau-ming Lee will be recognized posthumously as the 2017 Wainwright Social Justice Award winner for his dedication in serving the immigrant community through his leadership at the Asian American Civic Association. 

Recipients of this year's Targeted Grants include: 

• Asian-American Civic Association, an organization supporting Asian immigrants and refugees, which will use the Targeted Grant for workforce development programs for Asian immigrants and their families.
• Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua, a southern New Hampshire organization, which will use the Targeted Grant to expand its successful Hispanic Outreach Program and connect with local immigrant youth.  
• HarborCOV, a Chelsea-based organization that provides free safety and support services for people affected by violence and abuse. The Targeted Grant will help fund legal advocacy for immigrant survivors of domestic violence.
• MIRA, the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, will use the Targeted Grant to support immigrant and refugee entrepreneurship and citizenship.
• Political Asylum/Immigration Representation (PAIR) Project, an organization that provides free legal services to asylum-seekers and promotes the rights of detained immigrants.
• Project Citizenship, a nonprofit agency that works collaboratively with community-based partners to help eligible, legal permanent residents overcome barriers to becoming U.S. citizens, including assistance with citizenship applications. In addition to the $10,000 grant, Eastern employees have donated their time to volunteering at the Boston-based organization.

In 2017, the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation will donate $7 million to 1,600+ nonprofits throughout eastern Massachusetts, southern and coastal New Hampshire and Rhode Island as part of Eastern's commitment to donate 10 percent of its net income to charity each year. To learn more about the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation and to see a complete list of 2017 Targeted Grant recipients, click here.

About Eastern Bank
Founded in 1818 and based in Boston, Eastern Bank is America's oldest and largest mutual bank, with $10 billion in assets and over 120 locations serving communities in eastern Massachusetts, southern and coastal New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Eastern provides exceptional access to fairly priced banking, investment and insurance products and services for consumers and businesses of all sizes. Eastern Bank, which includes Eastern Wealth Management and Eastern Insurance, is known for its outspoken advocacy and community support that has topped more than $100 million in charitable giving over the past 20 years. An inclusive company, Eastern employs 1,900 deeply committed professionals who value relationships with their customers, colleagues and communities. Join us for good at www.easternbank.com.

SOURCE Eastern Bank