East Palo Alto Nonprofit Gets $1M Grant From Bank Of America

Eric He
·2 min read

EAST PALO ALTO, CA — Bank of America announced a $1 million grant on Tuesday to JobTrain, an East Palo Alto-based nonprofit to help fund the construction of a new Center for Economic Mobility.

JobTrain seeks to provide career training, development programs and employment services to low-income communities in Silicon Valley. The new center will allow for expansion of those services and the chance for employers, community service providers and other public service sectors to convene for programs and collaboration, according to a news release.

“Bank of America’s grant of $1,000,000 and its partnership with JobTrain to serve the community is a tremendous moment for JobTrain,” said Barrie Hathaway, JobTrain President and CEO. “The Center in East Palo Alto will provide more services to the community than ever before, and JobTrain’s vision of clients reaching full economic mobility is at the forefront.”

The $1 million grant is among the largest Bank of America has donated in Silicon Valley, according to the bank.

The median household income in East Palo Alto prior to the pandemic was $52,716 compared to the average annual income of $140,000 for the Bay Area region.

According to a JobTrain survey, 75 percent of their clients reported losing their job, having their hours reduced or having someone in their household lose their job during the pandemic. Nearly two-thirds also reported worrying about housing, missing rent or mortgage payments over the last 22 months.

“Bank of America shares JobTrain’s mission of making financial lives better,” said Raquel González, President of Bank of America Silicon Valley. “As the region continues to make its way through the impacts of Covid-19, we are committed to creating an equitable recovery for those most impacted by the pandemic. Job Train’s new East Palo Alto center will provide valuable job skills training and career pathways for thousands of people in the community for years to come.”

This article originally appeared on the Palo Alto Patch