Springfield Rescue Mission (SRM) Receives $150,000 Grant From KeyBank Foundation
Grant funds will support SRM’s Workforce Development Outreach program
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., October 31, 2024 /3BL/ - The Springfield Rescue Mission (SRM) has received a $150,000 Community Impact grant from KeyBank Foundation, the charitable foundation of KeyBank. This grant will be paid over two years and will support SRM’s Workforce Development Outreach program, which matches mission residents with potential employers, while providing training and support to the residents to become effective, retainable employees. The grant is focused on building and expanding partnerships with local companies to support employment opportunities for residents and provides funding to create a new Liaison position to recruit and coordinate efforts between potential employers, employees, and the SRM case management team.
“We are incredibly grateful to KeyBank for their generous funding, which will greatly enhance our Workforce Development Outreach program,” said Kevin Ramsdell, CEO of Springfield Rescue Mission. “This support will empower us to help more individuals in need gain valuable skills and opportunities to secure sustainable employment and self-sufficiency.”
Chronically unemployed individuals need more than just job offers – they need training and support on how to be effective, retainable employees. Springfield Rescue Mission understands this, and its Workforce Development Outreach program builds a model with effective communication and accountability between the employers willing to hire SRM residents and SRM case managers providing training and support services to help residents become productive, successful employees. KeyBank Foundation sees value in such a model to help break the cycle of poverty and homelessness in our community and is supportive of SRM’s efforts.
“One of KeyBank’s philanthropic focus areas is Workforce Development and helping individuals achieve the skills, education and capabilities they need to succeed in current and future employment opportunities,” said Matthew Hummel, KeyBank Market President for Connecticut and Massachusetts. “This grant reflects our ongoing dedication to investing in local communities and helping individuals build brighter futures.”
The grant was celebrated at a check presentation event hosted by SRM and KeyBank leaders yesterday, October 30th at the mission’s facility at 10 Mill Street, Springfield and attended by City of Springfield Mayor Dominic Sarno, State Representative Carlos Gonzalez, State Representative Brian Ashe, and City Councilman Melvin Edwards, who each spoke.
KeyBank Foundation grants are part of a $40 billion commitment for lending and investments across Key’s national footprint established in 2017 and supporting affordable housing and community development projects, home, and small business lending in low- and-moderate income communities, and philanthropic efforts targeted toward education, workforce development, and safe, vital neighborhoods. For more information, visit www.Key.com/Foundation.
About Springfield Rescue Mission:
The SRM stands as Massachusetts’ oldest homeless shelter and rehabilitation initiative, ranking fifth in the nation. Spanning two locations, our Taylor Street site hosts an Emergency Shelter accommodating 45 men nightly, offering meals, showers, and clothing. Our Rehabilitation Program supports transitions with healthcare, addiction services, and mental health support. At Mill Street, our New Life Rehabilitation Program aids up to 60 men over 6-12 months through a holistic Wellness Track, including medical care, academic support, workforce development and life skills training. We also distribute 3.1 million pounds of food annually, benefiting hundreds through meals and community outreach.
About KeyBank Foundation:
KeyBank Foundation serves to fulfill KeyBank’s purpose to help clients and communities thrive, and its mission is to support organizations and programs that prepare people for thriving futures. The Foundation’s mission is advanced through three funding priorities – neighbors, education, and workforce – and through community service. To provide meaningful philanthropy that transforms lives, KeyBank Foundation listens carefully to understand the unique characteristics and needs of its communities and then backs solutions with targeted philanthropic investments. KeyBank Foundation is a nonprofit charitable foundation, funded by KeyCorp.
About KeyCorp/KeyBank:
KeyCorp's roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $190 billion at September 30, 2024. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank is Member FDIC.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
- KeyBank: Karen Crane, Communications Manager, 203-789-2752, karen_crane@keybank.com
- Springfield Rescue Mission: Robin Gobeille, Development Coordinator, 413-732-0808, rgobeille@springfieldrescuemission.org
