Bank of America & Fathers' Support Center Partner to Increase Access to Emotional, Financial & Parental Support for Fathers

In a community celebration held on December 3, Bank of America named Fathers’ Support Center, a nonprofit founded by St. Peters resident Halbert Sullivan, as a 2015 Neighborhood Builder. The nonprofit is being recognized for its work in the St. Louis area in helping to build healthy relationships in support of children and their fathers. Neighborhood Builders combines leadership development resources with $200,000 of flexible funding intended to help increase their capacity and impact in the St. Louis community.

“We recognize that nonprofits and their leaders are on the frontlines as they tackle tough community issues that are vital to St. Louis’ economic growth,” said Jackie Yoon, St. Louis Market President, Bank of America. “Fathers’ Support Center already provides vital services that help individuals and families in St. Louis by addressing both economic and work-force preparedness concerns as well as parenting skill deficiencies. Through Neighborhood Builders, we hope to help these organizations do even more for individuals and families in our community.”

As part of the program, Sullivan and Cheri Tillis, the emerging leader selected by Fathers’ Support Center, will both receive leadership training to help advance their careers and the future of the organization.

Fathers’ Support Center (FSC) provides a comprehensive program of services for men who want to learn to be responsible fathers committed to strong family relationships. Since its founding, the organization has served more than 12,000 fathers and their families, including more than 30,000 children. FSC has experienced continued success including a 75 percent job retention rate and a 62 percent employment placement rate. In addition, 75 percent of its graduates financially support their children and 80 percent regularly interact with their children.

The funds awarded to the organization will help FSC expand its presence in the Ferguson-Dellwood community, an area of significant need. FSC already serves clients in this community, but Neighborhood Builders will allow for the organization to increase its capacity in this target market. In order to reach the Ferguson-Dellwood community successfully and have the most impact possible, FSC will use the Neighborhood Builders funding for programming and operational support, which in return will help inform the community of the organization’s offerings, leading to an increased client reach.

Since 2004, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation has invested $183 million in more than 900 nonprofit organizations and provided leadership resources to nearly 2,000 nonprofit leaders through Neighborhood Builders and the Neighborhood Builders Leadership Program®. This long-term investment in nonprofit leadership development and capacity building is the largest philanthropic investment of its kind.

Neighborhood Builders is just one example of our broader corporate social responsibility efforts to build vibrant communities and economies. By advancing partnerships with nonprofits addressing needs related to community development, basic human services and workforce development and education, we are working to increase financial stability and help individuals and families find the pathways out of poverty.