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Community Overview As an active member of our local communities since 1929, we are committed to participation in many charitable and civic projects. The following are some representative organizations that we are proud to support: Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica's mission is to inspire and enable all young people to realize their full potential by developing the qualities needed to become caring, responsible and confident leaders. The Clubs provide diverse activities that meet the interests of all youth. Its Core Programs engage young people in activities with adults, peers and family members that enable them to develop self-esteem and to reach their full potential. The Clubs seek to empower these children to support and influence their community, sustain meaningful relationships with others, develop a positive self-image, participate in the democratic process and respect their own and others’ cultural identities. The Clubs work to make its members proficient in basic educational disciplines, as well as develop their creativity and cultural awareness. First Federal Bank of California has officers serving on the Board and Council of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Monica. ^ Back to top Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center A leader in community mental health care, Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center is a non-profit organization with about 60 years' experience of providing mental health and substance abuse services in Los Angeles County. It is committed to empowering its clients to maximize their potential by providing quality behavioral healthcare services to the community and to those in need. The Mental Health Center, through its 14 centers located in Greater Los Angeles, is community-based and services are available regardless of age, ethnicity or ability to pay. Many of its programs are targeted to providing services that meet the various needs of homeless individuals and families. Services include outreach to homeless on the streets, in the parks and on the beach. Intervention teams link homeless individuals to permanent housing, provide medical and dental care, mental health and psychiatric services, drug and alcohol counseling, vocational services, and socialization opportunities. Additionally, Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center provides temporary residency. First Federal Bank of California supports the commitment of the Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center and salutes its achievement of serving more than 29,000 individuals annually. ^ Back to top FAME Renaissance FAME Renaissance is committed to improving the economic livelihood of Southern California communities through community, public and private sector collaborations. Its primary mission is to create jobs and business OPPORTUNITIES. FAME Renaissance utilizes the FAME Renaissance Center, a 48,000 square foot state-of-the-art multi-media wired building which houses some of its 18 private and publicly-funded programs. Examples of these programs include: - The FAME Business Incubator houses 35 small to medium multi-media businesses. The program offers business coaches, technology and technical assistance services.
The Business Resource Center was established to enhance the business and economic development in South Central Los Angeles. Its mission is to fund loans and to provide technical business assistance to new and existing businesses that do not qualify for standard bank credit. The FAME Equity Funds goal is to raise funds to invest in emerging businesses that are owned and operated by minority entrepreneurs in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods in Southern California. The Entrepreneurial Training Program has self sufficiency and job creation as its goals. It accomplishes this by equipping new and existing entrepreneurs located in the low-to-moderate income areas of South Central Los Angeles with the knowledge, skill, and insight required to manage a successful enterprise. First Federal Bank of California makes annual contributions to FAME Renaissance in support of the Centers and its services.
^ Back to top Inglewood Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (INHS) First Federal Bank of California has recently partnered with Inglewood Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. to help revitalize low and moderate income neighborhoods in the South Bay. INHS was established as a non-profit in 1978 and has completed more than 450 home improvement projects, investing more than $4.1 million into the preservation of the City of Inglewood's housing stock. INHS provides first time homebuyer training, down payment and closing cost assistance loans, loans to rehabilitate homes, homebuyer's education, repair and construction assistance, market development, education and market support programs to low/moderate income persons and minority populations. Since the inception of its homeownership program in 1995, Inglewood Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. has funded over $23 million in mortgage loans, providing homeownership opportunities to more than 160 low income families. ^ Back to top Operation Hope Operation HOPE, Inc. (OHI) is a non-profit, public benefit organization, founded immediately following the civil unrest of April 29, 1992 in Los Angeles. OHI is America’s first non-profit investment banking organization and one of the nation’s leading providers of economic education for the under-served. The objective of OHI is to “bridge the gap” between mainstream and minority communities, through partnership, investment, lending, practical education, technical assistance, advocacy and outreach. OHI seeks to bring true and sustaining "HOPE" to those living in the under-served communities, reminding them always that they are important and necessary, advocating important positions on their behalf within City and State government, the halls of Congress, the Senate, and other government, legislative and regulatory bodies. OHI seeks to create sustainable change within under-served communities by consistently promoting opportunity, self-esteem, self-love, optimism and future aspiration. OHI advocates the positive merits of inner-city communities to big business interests. First Federal Bank of California is an Operation HOPE partner financial institution. We have been honored with the HOPE Home Loan Partner award for loan production in the inner city. An officer of the Bank serves on the Board of OHI. ^ Back to top Roosevelt School Partnership Program Every school year, a number of Bank employees are partnered with students who are selected by Roosevelt School, a local public elementary school. Our employees, as "mentors," meet weekly to provide support and encouragement for these children, helping to promote self-esteem. During the school year, each week, for about an hour, volunteers and students meet to work to improve students' reading, math and other skills. As each student has his or her own Bank partner, they have the extra benefit of knowing someone will be there just for them when help is needed. ^ Back to top
St. Joseph Center St. Joseph Center provides empowering opportunities to low income and homeless individuals and families, assisting approximately 12,000 people annually through its programs. These programs include: - Child care and parenting classes
- Family center and food pantry
- Food service job training
- Homeless service center
- Housing assistance
- Monetary advisement
- Senior outreach
- Thrift store
Through these programs, St. Joseph Center annually provides more than 330,000 meals to homeless and low-income individuals, connects more than 3,000 homeless people with emergency services, helps 3,000+ low-income individuals manage immediate crisis, and places over 150 individuals and families into affordable, safe and permanent housing. First Federal Bank of California has been a strong supporter of St. Joseph Center for many years. ^ Back to top United Way United Way of Greater Los Angeles is the largest private funder of health and human services in Los Angeles County. Year after year, United Way of Greater Los Angeles renews its commitment to the community by funding charities that help nearly 4,000,000 men, women and children in need. Every year, the Bank partners with the United Way to raise thousands of dollars to benefit local agencies and organizations through company-based campaigns. For several years, the Bank has been one of the largest local company contributors to the United Way. ^ Back to top Upward Bound House Upward Bound House is a non-profit organization designed specifically to deal with unmet housing and social service needs of homeless families and low-income elderly persons. Upward Bound runs two housing projects in Santa Monica. Family Place is a 20-unit apartment building for families with young children, annually serving 35 families, including approximately 50 children. It is the only transitional housing facility operating specifically for families in Santa Monica. Senior Villa consists of 70 units of much-needed affordable housing for senior citizens. For both projects, a variety of supportive services, both on- and off-site, are maintained. An Intergenerational Center provides programs of interaction, learning and support between Family Place and Senior Villa. First Federal Bank of California supports Upward Bound House in a variety of ways. Through the Federal Home Loan Bank's Affordable Housing Program, First Federal Bank of California provided funding for construction of the projects. A Bank officer serves on the Upward Bound House Board of Directors. Bank volunteers provide weekly assistance to Family Place as well as resources for special projects. Special savings programs have been established at the Bank for the residents of Family Place. First Fed is proud to be a contributor to the success of this worthwhile project. ^ Back to top Venice Community Housing Corporation Venice Community Housing Corporation (VCHC) has been providing services to low- and moderate-income families since 1988. First Federal Bank of California has been a supporter since 1992 when the Bank successfully raised funds to bring Westside banking support to VCHC's transitional housing facility for homeless women and children. VCHC has grown since 1988, and now provides many different services for low/moderate income individuals and families, including: - Providing 100 units of affordable housing and a 32-bed transitional housing facility for homeless women and their children
- Support groups, counseling and mentoring for residents in two of their housing facilities
- Delinquency prevention
- Job training, life skills development, counseling and education assistance for disadvantaged youth
- Community economic development through its micro-enterprise that contracts for construction, rehabilitation, repair and tile work jobs
- Neighborhood beautification for elderly neighbors
- Transitional employment and employment access for at-risk youth
- Daycare for low-income families
Additionally, VCHC continues to acquire, construct and develop new housing for low-income families, seniors and households with special housing needs. ^ Back to top Westside Food Bank First Federal Bank of California has been a proud supporter of the Westside Food Bank (founded in 1981) for many years. This non-profit organization provides food to the food assistance programs of more than 70 Westside social services agencies. More than half of its food goes to children. Each month, the Food Bank provides enough food for over 400,000 meals for people in need. ^ Back to top WISE Senior Services WISE Senior Services is a multi-service, private nonprofit organization, founded in 1968. In the beginning, WISE stood for Westside Independent Services to the Elderly, but over the years, the acronym evolved to stand for Wellness, Independence, Self-Esteem, Education. WISE offers vital supportive services so that older adults have the option of staying in their homes and in their communities. It serves over 35,000 individuals every year. Much of WISE’s focus, and that of the elderly themselves, is on trying to balance the need for more extensive care with the desire for a normal life -- a life of freedom and independence. WISE programs take on the most difficult challenges facing the elderly. Adult Day Services: The day care facilities offer recreational and therapeutic activities, including services for seniors with Alzheimer's. Paratransit Transportation: There are numerous challenges in the scheduling of door-to-door service for seniors over 60 and disabled residents 18 years or older. WISE currently schedules 2,400 trips a day. Elder Abuse Prevention Program: This program coordinates efforts of the community, combining police, postal, and governmental agencies to combat abuse of elders, including fraud and neglect. First Federal Bank of California has aggressively supported this program with seminars and in-bank informational centers. Care Management Assessment and Implementation Program: Here seniors are offered free advice on how to create a plan for living independently. This program coordinates with In-Home Services and Respite Services so that caregivers can be provided a break from their responsibilities, as well as the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program, which provides trained advocates to watch out for the elderly in nursing homes and extended care facilities. First Federal Bank of California proudly stands as a strong sponsor of this organization, financially as well as philosophically. ^ Back to top YWCA of Santa Monica / Westside The YWCA of Santa Monica / Westside is a women's membership movement sustained by the richness of many beliefs and values. Strengthened by diversity, the YWCA draws together members who strive to create opportunities for women's growth, leadership and power in order to attain a common vision: peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all people. The YWCA’s mission is to empower women and girls and to eliminate racism. The organization recognizes 8 critical issues troubling women and girls of today: (1) children and youth development, (2) housing and shelter, (3) economic empowerment, (4) leadership development, (5) global awareness, (6) racial justice and human rights, (7) health and fitness, and (8) violence prevention. The YWCA empowers women and girls by offering a wide range of services and programs that enrich and transform their lives. They nurture young girls' minds and bodies with the YWCA TechGYRLS™ Clubs and the YWCA/NIKE Sports Program. They encourage women to exercise their political clout at the Institute for Public Leadership. They embrace and promote social justice by annually presenting the YWCA Week Without Violence® and the YWCA National Day of Commitment to Eliminate Racism. They emancipate women’s lives by providing the Housing and Education Program for young women exiting the foster care system who choose to make a commitment to furthering their education and career advancement. First Federal Bank of California genuinely commits to this valuable organization through our financial and emotional support. ^ Back to top
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