Grant supports basic needs programs for women and children in Paterson
Oak Ridge, N.J. – Aug. 7, 2018 – Lakeland Bank recently presented a $10,000 Community Impact Grant to Oasis--A Haven for Women and Children in Paterson, N.J. The purpose of Lakeland Bank’s Community Impact Grant Program is to address specific community-focused initiatives and invest in eligible high-performing nonprofit organizations that make a strong and lasting impact on our communities.
“The services Oasis provides in the Paterson community are instrumental for helping some of the most impoverished women and children in the area,” said Ron Schwarz, Chief Operating Officer, Lakeland Bank. “They offer assistance with basic needs, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Oasis has a very impressive goal to empower clients to move out of poverty through their comprehensive education, social services and youth development programs.”
The mission of Oasis is to break the cycle of poverty through compassionate programs designed to feed, clothe, educate, and empower women and children in need. In addition to their social service and youth development programs, Oasis provides educational opportunities to over 400 women annually. Students enroll in year-long courses in English as a second language as well as classes for GED preparation, computers, and workplace readiness. Additionally, Oasis provides certificate programs that enhance students’ job prospects, such as the customer service certificate from the National Retail Federation, bank teller certificate through the American Banker Association, and the Servsafe® certificate from the National Restaurant Association. Supervised childcare is provided for children up to age 5 to ensure that students can focus on their education.
“We are so grateful to Lakeland Bank for their support and commitment to our work to help lift some of the most vulnerable women and children in our community out of poverty. Lakeland Bank is a true partner in this effort, and their generous donation will help us to offer hope to more women and children in the year to come,” said Jennifer Brady, Executive Director, Oasis - A Haven for Women and Children.
Visit oasisnj.org to learn more about their services and programs.
About Lakeland Bank’s Grant Program
The Lakeland Bank program is non-competitive with no public solicitations for applications. Prospective recipients and their programs are nominated for consideration for a Community Impact Grant or Housing Impact Grant based upon an internal nomination process designed specifically for this program. The non-competitive grants will be awarded in the second and fourth quarters to eligible organizations within the Bank’s assessment areas that offer the following services:
- Financial independence
- Homelessness solutions and affordable housing programs
- Education programs offering financial skill sets
- Youth programs and services including childcare and afterschool programs
- Emergency services including food, shelter and clothing
- Health and well-being services
About Lakeland Bank
Lakeland Bank is the wholly-owned subsidiary of Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:LBAI), which has $5.5 billion in total assets. The Bank operates 53 branch offices throughout Bergen, Essex, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, and Union counties in New Jersey including one branch in Highland Mills, New York; six New Jersey regional commercial lending centers in Bernardsville, Jackson, Montville, Newton, Teaneck and Waldwick; and one New York commercial lending center to serve the Hudson Valley region. Lakeland also has a commercial loan production office serving Middlesex and Monmouth counties in New Jersey. Lakeland Bank offers an extensive suite of financial products and services for businesses and consumers. Visit LakelandBank.com for more information.
Caption: Lakeland Bank presented a $10,000 grant to Oasis—A Haven for Women and Children. Oasis Executive Director Jennifer Brady and Oasis Board Member Susan Buchanan are in the center along with Lakeland Bank associates pictured left to right: Perry Lighty, Susan Scimone-Bellini, Roxanne Camejo, Ron Schwarz, Debra Zimmerly and Ellen Lalwani.