ANNAPOLIS, Maryland, March 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/– Maryland Governor Larry Hogan’s administration bestows an official citation to the award-winning William & Lanaea C. Featherstone Foundation for its signature workforce development program, Reaching New Heights. The citation applauds the Foundation’s robust job placement and training program for promoting economic growth across the state.
The Foundation’s bilingual trainees have secured promising careers at major financial institutions such as BB&T Bank, New York Life Insurance Company and Wells Fargo Bank. As a result of the program, some participants report earning double their annual income, plus benefits including health, paid time-off and retirement plans.
“We are pleased to honor this top-notch organization that is ahead of the curve and changing the paradigm,” said Lorena G. Rivera, Director of Hispanic Affairs, Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives. “The Featherstone Foundation’s vetted pipeline of qualified, bilingual candidates helps Maryland-based employers identify and attract great talent.”
The eight-week program trains bilingual, Latino candidates in banking, resume development, interviewing skills and customer service, then matches candidates with employers in banks, insurance companies and credit unions.
“As the inaugural program sponsor, PNC Bank is pleased to support such a groundbreaking initiative that helps the financial services industry recruit diverse candidates,” said Lourdes Montes-Greenan,Vice President, community development banking, PNC Bank.
“With our nation’s rapid demographic shifts, we are developing solutions that put underemployed bilingual workers into professional, long-lasting careers,” said Lanaea C. Featherstone, Foundation President and Open Society Institute Baltimore Community Fellowship Alumna.
“We hired two impressive bilingual program graduates for our Baltimore branches through this initiative, said Jim Willis, Assistant Vice President, Market Leader III, BB&T Corporation. “We applaud the Featherstone Foundation for connecting us with outstanding candidates.” The program receives funding from PNC Bank, BB&T Bank and in-kind support from the Baltimore County Public Library. The Foundation’s impact video features participant testimonials: https://vimeo.com/152434471
The Maryland Governor’s Commission on Hispanic Affairs is a part of Governor Larry Hogan’s Office of Community Initiatives, which works to enhance and improve opportunities for Maryland residents. The Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives oversees the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism, Volunteer Maryland, community affairs and engagement within the executive branch of Maryland government, and the governor’s eight ethnic and cultural commissions. www.hispanic.maryland.gov | @GOCIMD
The William & Lanaea C. Featherstone Foundation creates sustainable solutions to bridge the opportunity divide among the Latino and underserved communities. www.thefeatherstonefoundation.org | @FeatherstoneFdn
