Why does Community Access Unlimited hold this event every …



For Immediate Release

With Photo, embedded and attached

June 10, 2011

For more information:

Please contact Joanne Oppelt

Community Access Unlimited

80 West Grand St. Elizabeth, NJ 07202

908.354.3040, ext. 378

email: joppelt@

BANK OF AMERICA CONTINUES TO INVEST IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH

INVESTMENT IN PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Provides $7,500 grant to Community Access Unlimited employment services programs

Elizabeth, NJ – Bank of America again this year reinforced its commitment to helping build and support the communities it serves with a grant of $7,500 to Community Access Unlimited (CAU) for use in the agency’s employment services programs.

CAU provides support and services to people with disabilities and at-risk youth, including a variety of vocation and employment and training services designed to help members acquire skills necessary to secure and retain employment, earn money and achieve greater independence.

Members train for employment in areas that match their interests and skills and have access to education and training in basic math, reading and computer skills, as well as training that includes skills assessment, interviewing, dressing for success and interaction with others in the workplace. Members are competitively employed at either CAU or outside businesses such as Target and ShopRite.

“When people are able to work, they are better integrated into the fabric of the community and help make that community stronger,” said Joanne Oppelt, CAU development director. “The services we provide our members enable them to achieve greater independence and self-fulfillment while contributing to the community as consumers and taxpayers. The support we receive from our community partners such as Bank of America is so important to our members’ achieving success.”

Bank of America is committed to creating meaningful change in the communities the bank serves through philanthropic efforts, associate volunteerism, community development activities and investing, support of arts and culture programming and environmental initiatives, according to Anna Katherine Harris, senior vice president and consumer market executive. The bank seeks innovative programs designed to serve local community needs.

Working in partnership with community leaders, Bank of America directs the majority of its giving through local grants that address pressing social, economic and cultural needs of the communities it serves, Harris added.

“We like to provide grants within the communities where we live, work and serve,” she said.

Myrta Rosa is a CAU member who benefits from the agency’s programs and training. She works two days a week in CAU’s chat center, where she helps other members. Rosa also is a very active advocate for her rights and those of other people with disabilities.

“I like to keep busy helping other people,” she said. “I’ve always worked all my life.”

“This grant will directly support people like Myrta Rosa who work in our employment services programs, so they can be part of the community and contribute to the community,” Oppelt said.

About CAU

Community Access Unlimited (CAU), celebrating its 32nd anniversary in 2011, supports people with special needs in achieving real lives in the community. CAU provides support and gives a voice to adults and youth who traditionally have had little support and no voice in society. CAU helps people with housing, life skills, employment, money management, socialization and civic activities. CAU also supports opportunities for advocacy through training in assertiveness, decision-making and civil rights. CAU serves more than 5,000 individuals each year. For more information about CAU and its services, contact us by phone at 908.354.3040, online at or by mail at 80 West Grand Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202.

About Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world’s largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 58 million consumer and small business relationships with approximately 5,800 retail banking offices and approximately 18,000 ATMs and award-winning online banking with 30 million active users. Bank of America is among the world’s leading wealth management companies and is a global leader in corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business owners through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations in more than 40 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

[Photo – CAU Bank of America]

[pic]

Myrta Rosa, a member of Community Access Unlimited and participant in the agency’s employment services program, holds a check for a $7,500 grant provided to CAU by Bank of America, flanked by Joanne Oppelt (left), CAU development director, and Anna Katherine Harris, senior vice president and consumer market executive for the bank.

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