E.P. Exec Going on Citizens Sabbatical

Ana McNamara, Officer and Risk Management Specialist at the East Providence Operations Center of Citizens Bank, has been selected to embark on a paid three-month “community service sabbatical.”

McNamara will spend the next three months “on loan” to the Comprehensive Community Action Program in Cranston. 

The Community Service Sabbatical program is a part of Citizens Helping Citizens Give, the bank’s program for volunteerism and colleague charitable giving. The sabbatical program was introduced as a way to support the community and the volunteer efforts of Citizens Bank colleagues.

Through this program, colleagues bring a variety of professional skills and expertise that benefit the local nonprofit organizations where they work as full-time volunteers during a three-month paid leave of absence from the bank, according to Citizens Bank.

“Community service is one of our core values at Citizens Bank and we know from our colleagues that the opportunity to bond with a community organization is often a reason they join the bank,” said Ned Handy, President of Citizens Bank and RBS Citizens, Rhode Island. “Our colleagues who have completed sabbaticals tell us that it is a life-changing experience that brings a newfound perspective to their life and career. We congratulate Ana on her sabbatical and are confident she will make the most of this opportunity to make a difference in her local community.”

CCAP is dedicated to fighting the war on poverty. The organization provides a wide spectrum of programs like education, job training, affordable housing, access to food, healthcare and human services to help those in immediate need and empowers those desiring to become more self-sufficient.

McNamara is assisting CCAP with simplifying its operations to better serve its clients and staff. McNamara will teach financial literacy to the young clients of CCAP so they learn how to save, manage their money and buy selectively.

“We are honored that Citizens Bank and Ana have chosen Comprehensive Community Action Program (CCAP) for her community sabbatical,” said Joanne McGunagle, CAP Executive Director. “Ana brings to us a wealth of experience and enthusiasm for the work she will be involved with at CCAP. We are looking forward to having Ana here; she has a substantial amount of experience to offer our clients.”

The sabbatical program has placed 100 Citizens Bank employees who have contributed 48,000 volunteer hours valued at more than $1 million for partnering nonprofit organizations since 1994.