news release

Bank of America has named Youth Guidance a 2022 Bank of America Neighborhood Champion for its work removing economic barriers and advancing economic opportunity in the Treasure Coast. The multi-year grant will help expand programs and services that provide academic support, mentoring, and workforce development for disadvantaged children and young adults, helping more people chart a path toward economic opportunity. 

As part of the program, Youth Guidance will receive $50,000 in grant support and an opportunity for engagement in virtual leadership training delivered by experts in the nonprofit sector on topics like human capital management, increasing financial sustainability, and storytelling. 

“Nonprofits are the backbone to our local community, working closely with individuals and families to understand their obstacles and develop programs and services to alleviate or eliminate these barriers, helping them chart a path toward economic opportunity,” said Susan Rabinowitz, president, Bank of America Treasure Coast. “It’s important that we direct not only capital, but the necessary resources and training to help position these nonprofits and their leadership team for long-term success.”

Youth Guidance has been leading the charge in Indian River County since 1973 to provide innovative workforce development opportunities, such as life skills, academic enrichment, and vocational training for youth and young adults with limited resources. Through community-based mentoring programs such as tutoring, website design, gardening, culinary arts, money management, and pre-apprenticeship, Youth Guidance enriches and prepares youth and young adults for positive futures. The grant funding will help support leadership development and training programs to bolster fundraising campaigns and support existing programs.

“The leadership development resources Bank of America is providing will have a transformative impact on Youth Guidance, allowing us to attract and retain more employees who care deeply about our mission and possess the skills and experience needed to work diligently towards accomplishing it,” said Phil Barnes, executive director, Youth Guidance. “This training will be vital to help our organization be more focused and efficient as we implement our annual fundraising campaign, planned giving program, and capital campaign to raise the funds needed to renovate our building and expand our operations.”

In the Treasure Coast, four nonprofits have been selected as Neighborhood Champions since 2019, with the bank investing $200,000 into these local organizations. The invitation-only program is highly competitive, and organizations are selected by a committee comprised of community leaders and past Neighborhood Champion honorees.