Grant provides funding for two leadership programs
Oak Ridge, N.J. – Sept. 19, 2019 – Lakeland Bank is pleased to announce it has awarded a $20,000 Community Impact Grant to Pass It Along (PIA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2001, to equally fund the goLEAD and Get Connected/KeepConnected leadership programs that PIA offers to local teens.
“We believe Pass It Along’s leadership, service and special event programs provide wonderful opportunities for teenagers to discover and expand their communication, decision-making, goal setting and planning skills,” said Ronald Schwarz, Chief Operating Officer of Lakeland Bank. “PIA offers a safe place for the youth in our community to begin a journey toward self-discovery, and these two programs are specifically designed to help teens become the confident and resilient leaders our communities will need in the future.”
“Pass It Along’s self-discovery, leadership and volunteer programs reach teens throughout Sussex County and these programs continue to expand and stay in high demand with the support of organizations like Lakeland Bank,” said Kathy Rathbone, Executive Director of Programs at Pass It Along. “Every day new teens are guided in discovering their passions and purpose and they have a place at Pass It Along to explore them by either creating service programs within their community or simply helping others. Lakeland has been with us from the beginning and we are ever so grateful.”
Pass It Along Programs
GenerationOn Leadership, Education, and Development (goLEAD) is a carefully crafted youth leadership program designed for high school students. Based on the popular Points of Light Youth Leadership Institute, the program provides opportunities for youth to practice 21st century competencies, think locally and globally, use technology and reflection. After completing the 30-hour program and community service project, participants will be equipped with leadership and communication skills, and gain community and self-awareness. The program meets from October through June and is open to teenagers that reside in Northern New Jersey.
The concept of Get Connected was established in 2014 by a committee of professional mental health providers of Sussex County and it became Pass It Along’s vehicle for helping people discover and create options to build a successful future. Through workshops and volunteer opportunities, the 10-week program helps young people with social, emotional or behavioral issues attain the readiness skills necessary to develop a sense of purpose and connection within the community. Participants completing the program can continue their activities and volunteerism by joining Keep Connected which helps sustain skill development and creates a bridge with the other PIA leadership programs. Visit Pass It Along for more details: https://passitalong.org
About the Lakeland Bank’s Grant Process
The purpose of the Bank’s Community Impact Grant Program is to make investments directly in eligible nonprofit organizations whose primary mission is to provide services that impact the environment, social, physical and/or mental well-being of the individuals, families, and communities within the Bank’s assessment areas. The program is non-competitive with no public solicitations for applications. Prospective recipients and their programs are nominated for consideration for a grant based upon an internal nomination process designed specifically for this program.
About Lakeland Bank
Lakeland Bank is the wholly-owned subsidiary of Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:LBAI), which has over $6 billion in total assets. With an extensive branch network and commercial lending centers throughout New Jersey and Highland Mills, N.Y., the Bank offers business and retail banking products and services. Business services include commercial loans and lines of credit, commercial real estate loans, loans for healthcare services, asset-based lending, equipment financing, small business loans and lines, and cash management services. Consumer services include online and mobile banking, home equity loans and lines, mortgage options and wealth management solutions. Lakeland is proud to be recognized as one of America’s Best-In-State Banks by Forbes and Statista, rated a 5-Star Bank by Bauer Financial and named one of New Jersey’s 50 Fastest Growing Companies by NJBIZ. Visit LakelandBank.com for more information.