Bank of America Partners with Volunteers of America and CBS EcoMedia to Improve Housing for New York City Veterans

NEW YORK, N.Y., November 14, 2013 /3BL Media/ – Thanks to generous financial support from Bank of America and in partnership with CBS EcoMedia, critical repairs and upgrades to important capital features will be made at two facilities operated by Volunteers of America-Greater New York, one in the Bronx and the other in Harlem, that provide permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless male and female veterans. These two facilities house 323 veterans in single-room apartments.

Upgrades include energy efficient lighting in individual units, and improvements to shared lounges, kitchens and bathrooms, building entryways, offices and mechanical rooms. Replacing the current lighting will enhance the overall appearance of the building, as well as make the building and its grounds safer for veterans and neighbors, while reducing energy usage and electric costs.  Also included are upgrades to the ventilation system.

To celebrate the partnership and express gratitude to our nation’s veterans, Bank of America employee volunteers visited the Volunteers of America-Greater New York’s Commonwealth Veterans Residence in the Bronx today, where they painted twenty-four lounge areas. 

“We owe a debt of gratitude to those who’ve served,” said Jeff Barker, New York City president, Bank of America. “Improving these facilities through financial and volunteer support is our way of saying thank you to these brave men and women.”

Since March 2012, Volunteers of America has partnered with EcoMedia, a division of CBS, to identify and build underfunded environmental improvement projects in low-income and subsidized housing developments nationwide. CBS EcoMedia uses advertising to support tangible, positive community projects by selling ads to companies and using a portion of the funds collected for community projects with partnering organizations like Volunteers of America that have environmental, wellness or education projects in need of support.

 “Public-private partnerships, such as the one we enjoy with EcoMedia, allow us to measurably improve the quality of life for our residents,” said Claire Altman, President and CEO of Volunteers of America-Greater New York.  “With Bank of America’s financial support and the dedication of dozens of its employee volunteers, we are greatly enhancing the living environment in two of our veterans’ residences, creating a source of pride and comfort for these men and women – a place where they can feel “at ease.”

“Since World War I,” Ms. Altman continued, “Volunteers of America has served the men and women who protected us during times of war and peace.  It’s an honor to be able to partner with them and provide the support they and their families need, whether it is a roof over their heads, help in coordinating their health care or assistance in acquiring skills to re-enter the civilian workforce.”

 “It’s a privilege to express how deeply grateful we are to the men and women who serve our country, especially when they find themselves in times of need,” said Paul Polizzotto, President and Founder, CBS EcoMedia. “Thanks to Bank of America’s funding, volunteering efforts and commitment to improving the quality of people’s lives in the communities it serves,

Bank of America Corporate Social Responsibility

Bank of America’s commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a strategic part of doing business globally. Our CSR efforts guide how we operate in a socially, economically, financially and environmentally responsible way around the world, to deliver for shareholders, customers, clients and employees. Our goal is to help create economically vibrant regions and communities through lending, investing and giving. By partnering with our stakeholders, we create value that empowers individuals and communities to thrive and contributes to the long-term success of our business. We have several core areas of focus for our CSR, including responsible business practices; environmental sustainability; strengthening local communities with a focus on housing, hunger and jobs; investing in global leadership development; and engaging through arts and culture. As part of these efforts, employee volunteers across the company contribute their time, passion and expertise to address issues in communities where they live and work. Learn more at www.bankofamerica.com/about and follow us on Twitter at @BofA_Community.

About Volunteers of America-Greater New York

Volunteers of America is one of the largest and most effective human services organizations in the nation.  Locally, in the Greater New York affiliate, skilled and dedicated staff and caring volunteers help tens of thousands of the most vulnerable men, women and children every year to live healthy, safe and productive lives.  From assisting homeless families to secure and retain permanent housing, to preparing preschool children with developmental delays for kindergarten, to providing a full continuum of services to youth about to age out of foster care, Volunteers of America’s programs are designed to strengthen individuals and families so that they can live independently.  Volunteers of America-Greater New York is the largest provider of residential services for veterans in New York City, serving more than 900 veterans each year across its ever-expanding network of programs throughout the five boroughs of New York City, the Mid-Hudson region, Long Island and Northern New Jersey.  www.voa-gny.org

About CBS EcoMedia Inc.

At EcoMedia, we're propelled by the desire to create positive social change; that's been our mission since we founded the company in 2002. In 2010, after successfully partnering with CBS on a wide range of environmental projects, EcoMedia became the newest addition to the CBS Corporation portfolio, exponentially scaling our reach across television, radio, interactive, publishing and outdoor media.

Through our patent-pending EcoAd, WellnessAd and EducationAd programs, an innovative twist on traditional advertising, advertisers are able to support much-needed local projects which in turn creates jobs, saves taxpayer money and improves the quality of life in communities nationwide. In the process, we’re fundamentally altering the advertising landscape, elevating the ordinary, traditional commercial – and media, in general – into a catalyst for tangible, quantifiable social change. Please visit ecomediacbs.com, like us at facebook.com/EcoMediaCBS or follow us at Twitter.com/EcoMediaCBS.

By participating in EcoMedia’s EcoAd, WellnessAd and EducationAd advertising programs, EcoMedia’s advertisers agree to provide funding for projects we believe will have a beneficial effect upon the environment, health and/or education within local communities. EcoMedia’s advertising programs are not certification programs nor are the EcoAd, WellnessAd or EducationAd logos seals of approval. EcoMedia does not in any way certify, endorse or make any representations about EcoMedia program advertisers, their products or services.