SAN JOSE, Calif./Sept. 30, 2002 -- Comerica Bank-California has announced that it is making substantial contributions to 13 very deserving community-based organizations in Northern California. The grants are the bank's way of supporting the work these agencies do for small business and affordable housing providers who focus on low-income, minority, disabled and woman-owned small businesses.
Executives from 13 agencies selected will receive contribution checks during a special ceremony on Sept. 30 in the executive boardroom at Comerica's California headquarters in San Jose. The contributions are part of a statewide grant program being implemented by the bank in which a total of $355,000 is being donated to 13 organizations in Northern California, and three in Southern California.
Those receiving grants Sept. 30 in San Jose:
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Rural Community Assistance Corporation, West Sacramento, $50,000
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Nehemiah Corporation of California, Sacramento, $25,000
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Community Housing Partnership, San Francisco, $25,000
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Fresno West Coalition for Economic, Fresno, $25,000
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Juma Ventures, San Francisco, $25,000
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The East Bay Conversion and Reinvestment Commission, Alameda, $25,000
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Business Resource Group, Fresno, $25,000
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Silicon Valley Habitat for Humanity, Inc., San Jose, $25,000
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California Coastal Rural Development Corporation, Salinas, $25,000
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Leaders for Community Development, San Jose, $25,000
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California Community Economic Development Association, Oakland, $25,000
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East Oakland Community Development Corporation, Oakland, $25,000
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El Concilio of San Mateo County, Burlingame, $30,000
"This contribution is just our way of saying 'thank you' to a few local organizations that work so hard in our communities to help provide support for those who need it," said Comerica Bank-California President and CEO Mike Fulton. "Hopefully this contribution -- and others like it from fellow corporations -- will help provide ongoing assistance to these extremely worthwhile organizations."
Rural Community Assistance Corporation ($50,000)Corporate Development Director
June Otow (360) 565-8456
Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting rural communities achieve their goals and visions by providing training, technical assistance and access to resources. RCAC promotes quality, respect, integrity, cooperation and commitment in work. The organization provides five core services: capacity development, access to resources, technical assistance, training and advocacy. In 1996, the U.S. Department of Treasury, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) fund certified RCAC as one of the first 39 CDFI's in the country.
Nehemiah Corporation of California ($25,000)
Executive Director -- Hazaiah Williams (916) 231-1999, ext. 1126
The Nehemiah Corporation of California started in Sacramento in 1994. The mission of the organization is to serve as a catalyst for urban wealth creation and economic empowerment by its direct provision of affordable housing and homeownership and by providing support to other faith-based and community-based organizations. One of the most successful programs of the organization is its Down Payment Gift Assistance Program (DAP) for low-to-moderate income individuals. The DAP started in 1997 in Sacramento and has spread to all 50 states. Since 1997, the organization has worked with more than 15,000 lenders to provide more than $397 million in down payment gift funds to more than 114,000 low-to-moderate income individuals. In California, the DAP has provided more than $42.4 million to nearly 9,500 individuals and families.
Community Housing Partnership ($25,000)
Executive Director - Jeff Kosistsky (415) 241-9015
The Community Housing Partnership is a non-profit corporation established to own or lease and manage permanently affordable, safe and well-maintained housing for homeless, low-to-moderate income individuals. Founded in 1990, the Community Housing Partnership (CHP) provides permanent, affordable housing to homeless individuals and families. One hundred percent of its clients have a very low income. CHP serves as a model for affordable housing in the Bay Area by incorporating three critical elements into a single program: job training and opportunities, on-site support services, and permanent housing. CHP currently houses 288 homeless individuals.
Fresno West Coalition for Economic Development ($25,000)
Executive Director - Keith A. Kelley (559) 485-1273
Organized in 1994 by a group of local economic development activities concerned about the often neglected West Fresno community, the Fresno West Coalition for Economic Development (FWCED) is a 501C(3) community development corporation with a mission of improving the physical and economic conditions of the southwest Fresno community. FWCED fought for more than five years for the development of the Kearney Palms Shopping Center, which was completed in 1999. Today, the organization continues its commitment to the people who live in west Fresno to improve their health, well-being and access to higher quality employment and business development.
Juma Ventures ($25,000)
Chief Financial and Strategic Officer -- Jeff Pace (415) 252-0502
Founded in 1993, Juma Ventures is a San Francisco-based non-profit organization dedicated to youth development through creative entrepreneurship. Juma Ventures employs and serves at-risk youth and young adults ages 14-24 who come from low-income backgrounds and who face serious barriers to initial employment, continuing and career advancement. In 2001, Juma employed approximately 200 youth.
The East Bay Conversion and Reinvestment Commission ($25,000)
Chair and CEO -- David K. Woolley-Wilson (510) 749-5969
The East Bay Conversion and Reinvestment Commission (EBCRC) supports the creation of new small businesses at closed military installations and promotes redevelopment in the adjacent low-income neighborhoods in Alameda County. The organization began in 1993 as one of four pilot projects created by Congress to seek ways of improving the defense conversion process. To date, it has assisted more than 100 small businesses and has provided numerous affordable housing opportunities to the Alameda community, through its Workers to Business Owners (WBO) Project.
Business Resource Group ($25,000)
Area Manager -- Sandra Dee Chaney (559) 447-1323
The Business Resource Group, a non-profit corporation, provides diagnostic programs, technical assistance services, training, advocacy and guidance to small and minority businesses and other non-profit agencies throughout the Central Valley. In addition to technical assistance, the organization provides human resource solutions, marketing, economic development and capital access to entrepreneurs within the low-to-moderate income populace. The Business Resource Group was formed specifically to assist the individual who may not otherwise be in the position to reach his/her goals and objectives to germinate profitability, growth and contributions to community economic vitality.
Silicon Valley Habitat for Humanity, Inc. ($25,000)
Executive Director -- Bill Arnopp (408) 294-6464
The mission of the Silicon Valley Habitat for Humanity, Inc., is to eliminate the sub-standard living conditions in Silicon Valley for low-income deserving families. Along with the help of the community, Habitat helps families build and own their own home. Founded in 1986, the organization has built 19 homes since 1990 through Alviso, San Jose and Campbell. Four homes under construction will raise the total to 23 families with 86 children.
California Coastal Rural Development ($25,000)
President - Herb Aarons (831) 424-1099, ext. 205
California Coastal Rural Development is a California chartered non-profit corporation serving the financial needs of small businesses and farmers. The corporation provides direct loans and loan guarantees to businesses located on the Central Coast through their offices in Salinas, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, Ventures and Monterey. Other programs include a microloan farm program, SBA Microloan Program, intermediary relending program, revolving loan funds, childcare facilities financing and an asset-based loan program.
Lenders for Community Development ($25,000)
Chief Financial Officer -- Jeff Merkowitz (408) 297-0204, ext. 12
Lenders for Community Developments' (LCD) mission is to build new pathways to increase the flow of capital into low-income communities. Together with their member banks, philanthropic investors and partner organizations, LCD develops financial products and services for low-income individuals and communities throughout Silicon Valley. Since 1995, LCD has originated nearly $18 million in affordable rental housing and four new community facilities. Through its Small Business Loan Program, LCD has provided $2.8 million in financing to 130 entrepreneurs, with 76 percent of loans gong to minority- owned businesses, 54 percent to women-owned businesses, and 86 percent to businesses owned by low-income individuals. Despite the higher level of risk associated with development lending, LCD has maintained an overall loss rate of less than one percent. In 1999, LCD expanded its activities to include Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) that assist low-income people in saving toward education, homeownership, retirement and small business development. After two and a half years, LCD has become nationally recognized for operating one of the premier Individual Development Account programs in the country. More than 850 families have enrolled in the program, who together have already saved $1.5 million toward their asset goals.
California Community Economic Development Association ($25,000)
Director of Membership -- Pamela Salsedo (510) 251-8065
The California Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA) is a membership organization of more than 200 nonprofit community-based organizations and practitioners that are engaged in revitalizing California's low-income neighborhoods. Since 1989, CCEDA members have engaged in a range of community building activities including: affordable housing, commercial and industrial development, employment training, sector intervention and job creation business expansion start-up and micro business enterprises, and the provision and/or facilities of human services.
East Oakland Community Development Corporation ($25,000)
Executive Director -- Larry Hynson (510) 569-8231
East Oakland Community Development Corporation (EOCDC) is a nonprofit housing developer. The Mission of the organization is to stimulate community revitalization through economic development and housing throughout he East Bay Region. Over the years, EOCDC has launched many successful affordable housing projects for low-to-moderate income individuals and families within the East Bay. It has received financial support and recognition from many banks, cities and legislative branches of government.
El Concilio of San Mateo County ($30,000)
Executive Director -- Ortensia Lopez (650) 373-1080
El Concilio is a nonprofit umbrella organization for 23 Latino serving organizations incorporated in 1980 with the mission to improve the quality of life for Latino families in San Mateo County. El Concilio's goals include promoting leadership development, increasing educational and employment opportunities and ensuring access to quality health for all. Since 1994, El Concilio has spearheaded efforts to improve the social, economic and physical health of Latino residents through projects designed to address chronic disease priorities identified by residents.
About Comerica Bank-California
Comerica Bank-California is a $15.6 billion-asset state chartered bank headquartered in San Jose. It is a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA), a $51 billion-asset bank holding company based in Detroit, Michigan. Comerica Bank-California has 67 offices in the state, from the greater San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento and Fresno, to greater Los Angeles and San Diego. The bank also has offices in Arizona, Colorado, Oregon and Washington.
Media Contact:
Keith Turner
(408) 556-5111
keith_turner@comerica.com
