Source: U.S.
Newswire - Modified by Dan Perkins
In
the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the Executive
Committee of the Board of Trustees of the
National Urban League authorized the
establishment of the Urban League Katrina Fund
to assist short and long term efforts to help
people rebuild their lives. Don Bowen,
CEO of the Urban League of Broward County
(Florida), serves as the Fund's executive
director.
Over one million
of the Gulf Regions displaced citizens are in
temporary housing, and a significant number are
expected to resettle in those areas. The
newly-created Fund will allow for timely and
direct assistance to ensure that the most
disadvantaged populations receive the help they
need on the ground, in the communities already
served by the Urban League's network of over 100
affiliates.
"The immediate
relief effort is slowing down, and we realize
that nearly one million Americans have been
displaced by Hurricane Katrina. That is why the
Urban League Katrina Fund will help evacuees
with jobs and housing to help ensure that the
most disadvantaged citizens receive the needed
assistance to rebuild their lives," said Marc
H. Morial, president and CEO, National Urban
League.
"Although we
realize that many survivors will want to return
to their homes, many will resettle where they
are, based upon housing and job opportunities in
the communities that have received them. No
matter what they decide, the Urban League will
be there help them make the transition,"
continued Morial.
The first
organizations to contribute to the Urban League
Katrina Fund are Citigroup, donating $1
million dollars; Freddie Mac, donating $1
million dollars; and the Nehemiah Corporation
of America contributing $100,000 for total
of $2.1 million.
Eric Eve,
executive director, Corporate Relations,
Citigroup's Global Consumer Group said, "In the
aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Citigroup is
committed to helping the affected individuals
and communities rebuild their lives. We know
that African Americans and all communities of
color face specific challenges that are
sometimes lost -- particularly in crisis
situations. Together, we will work to fill the
gaps and continue to be a part of the solution.
We are very pleased to support the National
Urban League with a commitment of $1 million to
strengthen their hurricane relief efforts and
hope others will lend their support to
underserved communities."
Dwight P.
Robinson, senior vice president, Corporate
Relations and Housing Outreach for Freddie Mac
said, "While we are still learning the long-term
impact of Katrina, what we do know is that we
will have to rebuild lives and communities."
Many of these displaced Americans will never
return to their homes, opting to build new lives
in these welcoming cities. Freddie Mac is
pleased to make a commitment of $1 million to
the Urban League's Katrina Fund to help ease the
burden for displaced citizens and as our nation
begins the process of connecting people to
temporary housing and ultimately permanent
homes."
Scott Syphax,
president and chief executive officer of
Nehemiah Corporation offered these comments,
"Nehemiah Corporation of America is proud to be
one of the first major donors to the National
Urban League's Katrina Fund. Because Nehemiah
has helped over 200,000 low-to moderate-income
families to own homes and achieve sustained
financial security, it is fitting that we chose
to support Katrina victims by partnering with
the Urban League," said "Like Nehemiah, the
Urban League has a proven record of meeting the
long-term economic needs of the most vulnerable
Americans. Long after all emergency supplies
have been distributed we know that the Urban
League and Nehemiah will be around to help
Katrina victims with the difficult task of
rebuilding their homes, their communities and
their lives."
Additional
information about the Fund and donations can be
made at 1-877-NUL-GULF and/or http://www.nul.org.
Additional
Information on the Fund Contributors
|
The Urban
League |
|
Established in 1910, the Urban League is
the nation's oldest and largest
community-based movement devoted to
empowering African Americans to enter
the economic and social mainstream.
Today, the National Urban League,
headquartered in New York City,
spearheads the non-partisan efforts of
its local affiliates.
There are
over 100 local affiliates of the
National Urban League located in 35
states and the District of Columbia,
providing direct services to more than
two million people nationwide through
programs, advocacy and research. |
| |
|
Citigroup
|
|
Citigroup,
the leading global financial services
company, has some 200 million customer
accounts and does business in more than
100 countries, providing consumers,
corporations, governments and
institutions with a broad range of
financial products and services,
including consumer banking and credit,
corporate and investment banking,
securities brokerage, and wealth
management.
Major
brand names under Citigroup's trademark
red umbrella include Citibank,
CitiFinancial, Primerica, Smith Barney
and Banamex.
Web
site: http://www.citigroup.com |
| |
|
Freddie
Mac |
|
Freddie Mac is a stockholder-owned
company established by Congress in 1970
to support homeownership and rental
housing. Freddie Mac fulfills its
mission by purchasing residential
mortgages and mortgage-related
securities, which it finances primarily
by issuing mortgage-related securities
and debt instruments in the capital
markets. Over the years, Freddie Mac has
made home possible for one in six
homebuyers and nearly four million
renters in America. |
| |
|
Nehemiah
Corporation of America |
|
Founded in
1994, Nehemiah Corporation of America is
a Sacramento-based nonprofit
organization committed to empowering
lives and enriching communities
nationwide.
Nehemiah
transforms lives by increasing
homeownership opportunities for diverse
populations, while maintaining its
commitment to successful, responsible
homeownership. Nehemiah transforms
communities by expanding its
faith-based, charitable and community
development initiatives into underserved
neighborhoods across America.
In 1997,
Nehemiah launched its flagship program,
The Nehemiah Program(r), to provide down
payment assistance to homebuyers. To
date, Nehemiah has provided over $700
million in down payment assistance
gifts, resulting in $23 billion in real
estate transactions and has helped over
190,000 families and individuals achieve
their dream of homeownership.
Committed
to comprehensive community reinvestment,
Nehemiah has fostered partnerships with
Habitat for Humanity, HomeAid America,
the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the
National Association of Counties.
In
addition to providing down payment gift
assistance, Nehemiah has created other
programs that work to revitalize
communities including: Nehemiah
Community Reinvestment Fund, Nehemiah
Community Foundation and Nehemiah Urban
Ministry Initiatives.
Web
site -- http://www.nehemiahcorp.org
|
