The TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, recently donated a $1,000 Non-Profit Training Resource Fund Award to the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) as part of the foundation’s commitment to giving back to the community. The funds from the TD Charitable Foundation enabled Kate Larose, Director of CVOEO’s Financial Futures Program, to join Snelling Center for Government’s nine month Vermont Leadership Institute.
“As the new director of CVOEO’s Financial Futures program, Kate’s participation in the Vermont Leadership Institute will serve to enhance her job performance and, ultimately, increase the quality of financial capability services we provide”, said Jan Demers, CVOEO Executive Director. The Snelling Center for Government created the Vermont Leadership Institute with the goal of stimulating citizen enthusiasm for and participation in public service. The Institute gives participants the information, tools and inspiration to make greater contributions to their organizations, to their communities and to Vermont.
“My first two months in VLI have already provided me with a heightened ability to bring a systems perspective to financial capability issues, and have provided for hands-on practice and reflection time to hone my skills as a more collaborative leader” said Kate Larose, CVOEO Financial Futures Director. One of CVOEO’s 12 programs, Financial Futures provides financial capability and asset building services in Chittenden, Franklin, Addison, and Grand Isle counties through microbusiness counseling, matched savings accounts, and financial coaching and classes.
In the last year, Financial Futures worked with 900 individuals seeking to increase their financial wellness. Participants working on savings goals reported an average of a $975 increase in annual savings, 74% of participants reported bringing past due bills more current, and among those accessing business counseling, 12 new businesses were started, 38 were expanded or enhanced, and 11.5 full time jobs were created.
A staunch commitment to active involvement in the local community is a vital element of the TD Bank philosophy. TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank and the TD Charitable Foundation provide support to affordable housing, financial literacy and education, and environmental initiatives, many of which focus on improving the welfare of children and families.
About the TD Charitable Foundation
The TD Charitable Foundation is the charitable giving arm of TD Bank N.A., which operates as TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, and is one of the 10 largest commercial banking organizations in the United States. The Foundation's mission is to serve the individuals, families and businesses in all the communities where TD Bank operates, having made more than $167.3 million in charitable donations since its inception in 2002. The Foundation’s areas of focus are affordable housing, financial literacy and education, and the environment. More information on the TD Charitable Foundation, including an online grant application, is available at www.TDBank.com.
About TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank
TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., providing more than 8 million customers with a full range of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services at approximately 1,300 convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Metro D.C., the Carolinas and Florida. In addition, TD Bank and its subsidiaries offer customized private banking and wealth management services through TD Wealth, and vehicle financing and dealer commercial services through TD Auto Finance. TD Bank is headquartered in Cherry Hill, NJ. To learn more, visit www.tdbank.com. Find TD Bank on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TDBank and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TDBank_US.
TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is a member of TD Bank Group and a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank of Toronto, Canada, a top 10 financial services company in North America. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges under the ticker symbol "TD". To learn more, visit www.td.com.
About CVOEO
CVOEO addresses fundamental issues of economic, social, and racial justice and works with people to achieve economic independence. We bridge gaps and build futures. That is, we provide individuals and families with the basic needs of food, fuel and housing support in times of crisis, and we help them acquire the necessary education, financial skills and assets to build a stable future in which they thrive. The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) is a nonprofit corporation formed in 1965 to carry out the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 in Vermont’s Northwest Counties of Addison, Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle. It is one of five Community Action Agencies in Vermont. CVOEO provides vital services to over eleven thousand households (over 25,000 individuals) every year. Our three Coordinated Statewide Housing Services (the Fair Housing Project, the Mobile Home Program, and Vermont Tenants) serve residents statewide. The agency employs a dedicated staff of approximately 145 employees and engages more than 1,100 volunteers annually, working out of approximately 18 locations in addition to Head Start classrooms throughout the Champlain Valley region.
About the Snelling Center for Government
Recognizing the diversity and interdependence of Vermont citizens and communities, the Snelling Center for Government believes that active citizen participation and effective leadership are essential for the best possible quality of life for all Vermonters. The Snelling Center has offered statewide, premier leadership development programs since 1995. The Vermont Leadership Institute annually engages 24 to 26 public, private and non-profit sector professionals in an intensive program (18 days over 10 months) of self-discovery, skills-building and policy analysis.