By Patty Tascarella – Senior Reporter, Pittsburgh Business Times
Community Kitchen Pittsburgh and Casa San Jose are the 2021 Bank of America
Neighborhood Builders awardees, the Charlotte, North Carolina-based financial
institution announced on Wednesday.
Each will receive a $200,000 grant over two years and comprehensive training for their
respective executive director and an emerging leader. They join a network of peer
organizations across the country and receive the opportunity to access capital to expand
their impact.
“As communities continue to recover and navigate a changing landscape, nonprofits are
still experiencing significant demands for resources to support critical local issues like
economic mobility and workforce development,” John Ciccolella, president, Bank of
America Pittsburgh, said in a prepared statement. “Community Kitchen Pittsburgh and
Casa San Jose are helping bridge important gaps for individuals and families to help
them chart a path toward economic opportunity and stability. Programs like
Neighborhood Builders helps these organizations grow sustainably and strategically for
greater positive impact in the community.”
Community Kitchen Pittsburgh creates career paths for its students by providing
resources for career development and on-the-job training to formerly incarcerated and
other disadvantaged communities.
“Despite disruptions from the pandemic, it’s important we continue to support
community members who may face challenges after exiting incarceration with job
opportunities and a pathway for career development,” Samantha Swartz, operations
director at Community Kitchen Pittsburgh, said in a prepared statement. “This grant
will enable Community Kitchen Pittsburgh to create more opportunities for members of
the community to enter the workforce through our on-site training, apprenticeships and
supportive services.”