creative partnerships 2006 Report to the Community
Together, we re stronger... Throughout our long history, one thing has remained constant Huntington s unwavering commitment to the community. As a financial institution, and as individual volunteers, we continue to give back in meaningful ways to the neighborhoods in which we work and raise our families. We find that it creates a powerful force for good when individuals and organizations band together to not only do what s right, but to do so right now. This past year saw a renewed dedication to those we serve, while expanding the range and creativity of our partnerships. It takes a new level of ingenuity each year to ask different questions; to look at problems and their solutions in a fresh way; and, to explore new avenues for improving neighborhoods. And, along with creative thinking, it also takes a never say can t attitude to get people into their own homes, educate them about money and show them how they can live better lives.
Federal Home Loan Support Huntington is proud to be a Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBanks) member. FHLBanks are the largest source of residential mortgage and community development credit in the U.S., using their combined strength to obtain funding at the lowest possible cost. In 2006, Huntington obtained subsidies for 81 affordable housing units, which included $546,000 in grants and $800,000 in subsidized loans. One of these grant recipients was Homes on the Hill, a nonprofit housing counseling and development agency serving lowto-moderate income families in Columbus, Ohio. Through this partnership, Huntington was able to secure $9,000 in FHLBanks down payment assistance for five area families. But Huntington s involvement goes well beyond this noteworthy success. Teaching homebuyer education classes at Homes on the Hill is one of my favorite activities, says Community Mortgage Loan Officer Daniel Ruggiero. It s a true joy when participants who didn t realize that they could qualify for a mortgage find out that they do. Section 8 Homeownership Financing Charleston, West Virginia Most banks court realtors with million-dollar listings. But Ted Ranson, Mortgage Region Manager, and his team are more concerned with getting people in homes, so they call on nonprofits and housing authorities. This takes dedication, empathy and a lot of creative thinking. Tapping into government-subsidized Section 8 funding and becoming the area s expert has certainly helped. MaryAnn, a student who works two jobs while raising her children, knows best what Huntington s commitment can mean to a family. While purchasing her first home, MaryAnn languished in another bank s system, only to be turned down. If anyone deserves a break, it s her, says Ted of this hardworking single mom. His team sprang into action, securing a Section 8 subsidy and down payment assistance. Not only that, Mortgage Loan Officer, Molly Savilla, had the loan approved in just five days. What has this meant to MaryAnn? At a City of Charleston luncheon, she expressed her gratitude. It s all about picking the right bank and Huntington is the right bank. And it s all about picking the right loan officer and Molly Savilla is my angel. According to Ted, there wasn t a dry eye in the room. He explains, We re a bank that s willing to be creative not because it s mandated, but because it s the right thing to do. LifeTown Detroit, Michigan One of our most creative Huntington banking offices isn t really a banking office at all. It s the official bank of LifeTown, a unique, interactive village where children with special needs practice important life skills and have a lot of fun in the process. Each year, 150 kids from 28 participating schools in the Detroit metropolitan area participate in the LifeTown program. More than 350 trained teen volunteers keep the village operational. They teach students how to accomplish everyday tasks, like banking and grocery shopping. Our associates not only sponsor and maintain a working ATM stocked with $1 bills, but also train the teen volunteers. According to Senior Marketing Specialist Joelle Pett, The kids build great friendships with the volunteers and bond with other children who have the same special needs. What s great about this program is that we re helping children grow, learn and develop.
Bank for Living Toledo, Ohio For 17 years, our Toledo associates have nurtured a relationship with McKinley Elementary School. This long-standing partnership has resulted in several programs designed to enhance students academic skills, such as Ohio Reads (tutoring), Student of the Month (recognizing good citizenship) and the Bank for Living savings program. This school bank is a successful, hands-on approach to learning about money management, savings, leadership and responsibility. Sixth graders are interviewed, hired and trained to run the bank and serve their classmates by opening new accounts, making deposits, providing security and balancing accounts. Since the program began in 1989, more than 225 students have been employed by the bank. Senior Community Development Specialist Deborah Barnett adds, Money management is getting a lot of national attention because of how important it is to teach these skills. But, here at Huntington, we ve always thought that way. St. Martin de Porres High School Cleveland, Ohio St. Martin de Porres High School has a unique approach to preparing students for college. Founded in 2004, the private school provides a high-quality, college-preparatory education to Cleveland youth who would not otherwise be able to afford it. To do so, the school relies on an innovative Corporate Work Study Program and sponsors, like Huntington, to provide valuable job experience to student participants. A team of four students shares a full-time, entry-level job at Huntington, so that each works one day and attends classes the rest of the week. They rotate through different areas of the bank for optimum exposure to a variety of careers, and the money they earn covers 70 percent of their tuition. According to Daphne Washington, Executive Administrative Assistant and student supervisor, The students don t just work here, they re part of the team...and we re not just employers, but mentors. Ways to Work New Philadelphia, OH Nationally, the Ways to Work program has assisted 25,000 low-income families in securing affordable loans of more than $40 million, in order to purchase or repair a car, or cover other expenses essential for holding down a job. Huntington is pleased to belong to the Ways to Work network of loan offices across the country. Since 2001, we ve helped 389 working families with challenging credit histories, by providing them with short-term, low-interest loans. One such borrower is Tina. When we approved Tina s loan, she was a struggling nursing student. Since then, she has paid off her loan and become a registered nurse...and she now serves on the Ways to Work loan committee. Tina exemplifies what we ve known all along by providing a fair lending option for hardworking people dedicated to moving forward in their jobs, we can build lifelong customers with more stable financial futures.
Camp Fire USA Dayton, OH Neighborhood Ventures Partnership Grand Rapids, Michigan As state and national funds become difficult to obtain, it s necessary to go back to the basics: neighbors doing business with neighbors to achieve economic viability. According to Jim Dunlap, Regional Banking Group President, Huntington s goals align with Neighborhood Ventures, an economic development organization: improve the image of our neighborhood, so it s safe and vibrant; improve the public and private infrastructure; attract and expand business development; and, create entrepreneurial opportunities. Huntington was the first financial institution to invest in the four-block Southtown Renaissance business area. Since then, we ve worked with Neighborhood Ventures to secure 10 grants for facade improvements. Also, associates have volunteered to teach business courses to future entrepreneurs. And the region is investing $24,000 to brand the newly revitalized business district. Jim celebrates the partnership s achievements, This is a longterm investment in reaching our goal of self-sustaining economic independence for this neighborhood. Huntington is proud to support Camp Fire USA s mission by building today s kids into tomorrow s leaders. Senior Business Banking Product Specialist and local Camp Fire USA Council Board President Theresa Mayfield says, Camp Fire USA helps children learn and play in informal settings, exposing them to activities they would not normally have the opportunity to do. To this end, Huntington co-sponsored the Fall Family Festival, while associates secured prizes for the attendees. Even more rewarding was a recent school supply drive. With 100% participation from our Dayton/Springfield banking offices, Huntington collected book bags and supplies, not only for the Camp Fire kids, but also for their siblings! It was a tremendous effort that will truly help our kids from low-to-moderate income families become the leaders of tomorrow. Seeds for Growth Columbus, Ohio The community development team in Central Ohio found a unique way to partner with others and touch more lives than they ever could on their own. Seeds for Growth is a free, Huntingtonsponsored community workshop to help nonprofit organizations grow and access funding. The workshop included panel discussions and a networking luncheon where our 155 attendees could meet other nonprofit groups, collaborate on projects, leverage connections, and get valuable face time with leaders of key foundations. Says Elfi Di Bella, Community Affairs Director, In trying economic times, we can t fund everyone and this is one way of giving back. It s another avenue for us to say to our community, We believe in you. Money Mentors Indianapolis, Indiana Indiana s Money Mentors program is new, but it s growing rapidly! Last year, we connected more than 30 associates to the nonprofi t organization, Inquisitive Kids, to bring financial literacy to local schools. Borne out of teachers frustration with making math exciting, the program teaches children about budgeting, saving and philanthropy in a way that s fresh and fun. Huntington sponsors the curriculum-based math worksheet, while associates partner with teachers to apply the lessons. Marketing Manager Melissa Murphy notes, Our volunteers are able to say, This is how math will help you in the future. We ve also heard that parents are learning things from our worksheets. With more than 1,800 participating students, this is a rewarding program that reaches far into the community to improve the education our children receive.
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