Kissimmee, FL, April 26, 2021 – Osceola Council on Aging announced it received a $30,000 grant from Truist Foundation to stabilize candidates in the BSF-CEP program. Stabilization provides a living wage, housing and other benefits, which affect the program participants and the community at large. The $30,000 grant from the Truist Foundation will help finance the education of program participants in FY21-22.
“The most successful endeavors are not taken by one party, but rather by more than two parties or partnerships,” said Wendy Ford, president/CEO of Osceola Council on Aging. “Partnerships, like the one between the Osceola Council on Aging and the Truist Foundation enable nonprofits like ours the ability to provide much-needed services throughout Osceola County. We cannot thank the Truist Foundation enough for their partnership with our agency.”
Over 40% of the population in Osceola County was unemployed in the early spring of 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Most of the unemployed worked in unstable service industry jobs (restaurants, theme parks and retail). The goal of the BSF-CEP is to provide services, support and tuition for eligible candidates to receive training in a higher paying field of employment. Careers in welding, technical assembly and caregiving pay a higher wage than most service-industry jobs. Employers are also more invested in their development within their companies. Tech employers also offer insurance to their employees. The BSF-CEP program had over 47 participants this year, and Osceola County on Aging expects that number to double in FY21-22.
“At Truist our purpose is to inspire and build better lives and communities, and our partnership with the Osceola Council on Aging will help those whose lives have been upended by the pandemic,” said Sandy Hostetter, Central Florida regional president for Truist, speaking on behalf of the Truist Foundation. “This region has experienced high unemployment over the last year, particularly in the hospitality industry, and this partnership will help families get back on their feet.”
About Osceola Council on Aging
Created in 1971, the Osceola Council on Aging, Inc. is the largest social services organization in Osceola County, providing a wide array of services and programs to meet the needs of our community. Though the name implies services for just the elderly, its scope of services extend to families as well, helping during crisis to enable generations of residents to cope with challenges.
About Truist Foundation
The Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation’s (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. Established in 2020, the foundation makes strategic investments in nonprofit organizations to help ensure the communities it serves have more opportunities for a better quality of life. The Truist Foundation’s grants and activities focus on leadership development, economic mobility, thriving communities and educational equity. Learn more at Truist.com/Purpose/Truist-Foundation.
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Contact:
Belinda Olivera, Osceola Council on Aging | Oliverab@osceola-coa.com
Audria Belton, Truist | media@truist.com