LONDON, ON, July 16, 2013 /CNW/ - Libro Financial Group re-invests $444,356 - five per cent of its profit - back into southwestern Ontario by awarding seventeen youth-initiated community projects with grants which will fund valuable programs and initiatives to support the people and communities in the region.
The grants were awarded to the youth projects through Libro's Community Builder Program, which supports community development projects that provide youth, up to the age of 25, the opportunity to develop career and leadership skills.
"The Community Builder program not only strengthens our communities by funding valuable projects and causes, it also provides exciting opportunities for our youth," said Kelly McEachen, Chair of Libro's Community Investment Advisory Panel. "We hope to foster confident young leaders who are also focused on community, and over time build more vibrant and prosperous communities."
Libro awarded six Community Builder corporate grants and eleven branch grants this year. The grants are funded using 5 per cent of Libro's pre-tax and pre-dividend profit each year. Since 2005, when the program first launched, Libro has contributed more than $3.5 million to local youth-initiated projects across southwestern Ontario.
"As a credit union, our staff, customers and our communities are at the centre of what we do," said Tania Goodine, VP Brand, Libro Financial Group. "By involving staff and elected owner representatives in the evaluation process, we ensure the grants reflect the priorities of our customer-owners and their communities."
Community Builder applicants were required to demonstrate how their project or program impacts the community, and how youth play an integral role in the project. Many of the programs selected were youth initiated and directed. ROOF (Reaching Our Outdoor Friends), a Community Builder corporate grant recipient, offers a social enterprise program that employs homeless or at-risk youth and provides them an opportunity to gain job skills.
"ROOF not only gave me a job, they gave me a chance to realize what skills I have and what I excel at," said James Legate, Lead Youth for ROOF's Street Designs program. "Libro's Community Builder grant will help expand our program so that more youth, who were in the same situation I was two years ago, will have a chance to change their lives while also making a difference in the community."
2013 Community Builder Corporate Grants
Corporate grants range from $20,000 to $160,000 per year and are reviewed by the Community Investment Advisory Panel made up Owner Representatives, members of the Board and staff.
