Boston, MA Mayor Martin Walsh, Citizens Bank CEO Bruce Van Saun and Citizens Bank Massachusetts president Jerry Sargent unveiled a half-million dollar investment into programming designed to provide resources and active support to Greater Boston residents who face the greatest obstacles to full-time employment – minorities, veterans, women and at-risk youth.  

As part of the bank’s Citizens Helping Citizens Strengthen Communities program, 11 Boston-area non-profit organizations focused on workforce development will receive funding. Citizens Charitable Foundation will award $390,000, including a new national partnership with LISC Boston of $150,000. Additionally, the bank has announced a new initiative with the Boston Main Streets Foundation of $100,000 for Small Business Technology Initiative for Community and Economic Growth, with the purpose of supporting immigrant, minority and women-owned small businesses in Greater Boston. 

At a recent event at the YMCA of Greater Boston, mayor Walsh, Van Saun and Sargent joined Citizens executives and local community leaders to officially recognize the funding recipients, and to provide an update on the city’s efforts to combat chronic workforce issues.  

Recipient organizations include:

• Asian American Civic Association;

• BUILD Boston;

• Bridge Over Troubled Waters;

• Future Chefs;

• Pine Street Inn;

• Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy;

• St. Francis House;

• SkillWorks;

• New England Center and Home for Veterans; 

• YMCA of Greater Boston; and

• LISC Boston.