Bank of America has announced Child Enrichment as the 2023 Neighborhood Champion awardee for their work advancing economic mobility and building up underserved neighborhoods in Augusta. Through this multi-year grant funding and leadership training for the nonprofit’s leadership, programs, and services addressing child abuse and neglect will be able to help more children and families.
The program will provide leadership training delivered by experts in the nonprofit sector on topics like human capital management, increasing financial sustainability, and storytelling and a $50,000 grant over two years.
Child Enrichment provides a voice and a path forward to children and families that have experienced abuse, neglect, or child sex trafficking in the Greater Augusta area. Each year, they provide free counseling and advocacy services to over 1,200 children to help them heal.
This new grant funding will enable Child Enrichment to expand and scale their critical programs that support comprehensive intervention, stabilization, advocacy, and prevention services.
“We are at a pivotal point in our community’s need for Child Enrichment,” said Kari Viola-Brooke, executive director of Child Enrichment. “Over the past several years, we have seen the number of children and families needing our service double, and Richmond County currently has the most confirmed cases of child sex trafficking in the state of Georgia.
Child Enrichment recently moved into a new facility to meet the growing demand and ultimately, help more children heal from abuse and neglect.
“We know that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can greatly impact children even into their adulthood, but we also know children are resilient. With the help of Bank of America, we will not only have financial support, but leadership development needed to sustain this important work. It is encouraging to see such a large business like Bank of America prioritizing and championing the children in the community.”
The invitation-only program is highly competitive, and nonprofits are selected by a committee comprised of community leaders and past awardees. Five nonprofits have been selected as Champions in Augusta since 2019, with the bank investing $250,000 into these local nonprofits.
“Nonprofits are vital to solving social challenges, improving communities, and promoting economic advancement,” said Ora Parish, president, Bank of America Augusta. “Providing these nonprofits with flexible funding and leadership training not only positions these nonprofits for sustainable, long-term success, but demonstrates our commitment to creating real change in the places where we live and work.”
