Event Marks Second Year of Chase's Three-Year, $7 Million Commitment to Neighborhood

Los Angeles, March 28, 2013 - For the second consecutive year, Chase sponsored the Chase Boyle Heights Soars! Job Fair yesterday, where more than 300 residents who participated in Chase-funded local job-training programs met with Chase and 47 other employers.   Held at the PUENTE Learning Center in Los Angeles, the event was hosted by the Chase Workforce Development Workgroup, a collaboration between Chase and more than 14 community non-profit workforce development agencies and various community resources to help bring economic self-sufficiency to the Boyle Heights area.

Today's event  marked the anniversary of Chase's three-year, $7M commitment to transform Boyle Heights by providing multiple social services including education, jobs and job training, health, home ownership and green space.  The collaboration is built on a $1M grant from Chase to the i.am angel foundation, a charity established by will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas, as well as support to other non-profit partners to help TRANS4M Boyle Heights.  Thus far, Chase's investment totals $3.2M.

"Our investment in Boyle Heights and our partnerships with non-profits organizations like PUENTE create compelling opportunities for families in the neighborhood to grow and thrive," said Kari Decker, Chase's Executive Director of Corporate Responsibility for Chase's Western Region.  "Through our Foundation support and our many programs, we are committed to rebuilding Boyle Heights and making a positive, lasting change."

Chase and its predecessor banks have been actively investing in the Boyle Heights neighborhood for years, supporting education, financial literacy and community development programs:

  • A Homeownership Center founded by Chase and the i.am.angel Foundation.  In partnership with the East LA Community Corporation (ELACC), the Boyle Heights center offers home-buying and financial literacy education for both Chase and non-Chase customers.
  • Advisory services provided to i.am home, will.i.am's effort to help counsel and provide financial aid to struggling homeowners;  
  • Chase employee volunteers strengthen education and social service programs for Boyle Heights families

"In times of increasing need and scarcity of resources, community investment from Chase reflects the kind of bold philanthropy that ensures comprehensive, long-term stability for families in Boyle Heights," said Luis Márquez, PUENTE CEO.  "We commend the relevant, impactful difference made possible through inclusive collaboration between all agencies in this workforce workgroup."  

Other highlights from the Chase Boyle Heights Soars! Job Fair include:

  • Job opportunities through the 100,000 Jobs Mission recruitment effort targeting veterans and transitioning service members.  Together with other U.S. corporations, Chase launched the initiative two years ago with the goal of hiring 100,000 veterans by 2020; to date, over 51,800 have been hired.
  • More than twenty College Track students attended the job fair today, gaining valuable skills through a mini-boot camp on building effective resumes, interviewing and job hunting as well as earning high school service learning credit by volunteering as Ambassadors event day. Through a recently-announced $1M grant to College Track, a national college access program, Chase engages Boyle Heights College Track students in community volunteerism, financial literacy workshops and career readiness seminars. 
  • Over thirty Chase volunteers greeted each guest while they waited in line, assisted with the registration process, handed out event maps and escorted them through the maze of employers and community resources present to ensure a positive high-quality experience.

About Chase

Chase is the U.S. consumer and commercial banking business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.4 trillion and operations worldwide. Chase serves millions of consumers and small businesses through more than 5,600 bank branches, 18,600 ATMs, credit cards, mortgage offices, and online and mobile banking as well as through relationships with auto dealerships. More information about Chase is available at www.chase.com.

About PUENTE

[PUENTE boilerplate] PUENTE is a community-based organization; its mission can be found within its name: People United to Enrich the Neighborhood Through Education. Puente is also the Spanish word for bridge.  PUENTE serves as a bridge to opportunity in Boyle Heights and South Los Angeles residents, helping children, youth, and adults build strong educational foundations, find meaningful employment, and improve the quality of life for themselves and their families. Since its founding in 1985, it has positively impacted the lives of over 85,000 individuals.



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