Local Bank Awards Grants To Seven-Area Non-Profits

The Charitable Foundation for the Bristol County Savings Bank has awarded grants totaling $35,000 to seven New Bedford-area non-profit organizations.

One of the recipients was the Global Learning Charter School. The bank awarded the school $5,000 to boost its music programs. Music instructor Ian Gollub says what started as a small group three years ago, is now a thriving music program involving 120 students. "Young people when given the right tools and access to instruments and anything musical they can be excited about it when its done the right way. I've had the support at the school and community members to make that happen," said Gollub.

Bank President Patrick Murray says the grants center on education, economic development and housing.

The YWCA of Southeastern Massachusetts received $7,000 for its residential housing program. Director Gail Fortes says the program currently houses nine women. "Right now, all of our women are working or they are going to school and they're just trying to make a better life for themselves. Many of the women have been in recovery, some have been incarcerated, some have left domestic violence situations. This program helps them build their self-esteem, their self-confidence," said Fortes

Also receiving grants were the AHA program in New Bedford, the Workforce Investment Board, the Girl Scouts of Southern New England, the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra and the New Bedford Women's Center.

Since 2007, the bank's charitable foundation has awarded nearly $4 million to Southcoast non-profit agencies.