Banks Provide $10K to Help Advance Careers for Houston-Area Men

From providing business attire for interviews to hosting educational workshops for entrepreneurs, Career Gear Houston has helped 5,000 men in the Houston, Texas, area in their pursuit of professional advancement since 2016. Today, Veritex Community Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) awarded $10,000 in Partnership Grant Program (PGP) funds at a check presentation, helping the nonprofit organization further its mission.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190829005709/en/

Veritex Community Bank and FHLB Dallas awarded $10K in grant funds to Career Gear Houston, benefitting Houston-area men in their pursuit of professional advancement. (Photo: Business Wire)

The funds will be used toward the organization’s educational workshops and program materials. Career Gear Houston Executive Director Jamay Fishback said the funds – the organization’s second PGP award – will be targeted where they’ll make the most impact.

“Our mission is to empower men who are unemployed, underemployed or in transition,” said Ms. Fishback. “The grant funds will help families thrive and we’re honored to have been chosen to receive the funds.”

Through the PGP, FHLB Dallas member institutions like Veritex Community Bank contribute $500 to $4,000 to a community-based organization (CBO), which FHLB Dallas matches at a 3:1 ratio. This year, FHLB Dallas awarded $300,000 in PGP funds through 25 member institutions to assist 27 CBOs. Combined with FHLB Dallas member contributions, a total of $442,500 has been awarded to the organizations.

“FHLB Dallas’ 3:1 match helps extend our support of Career Gear Houston’s important mission,” said Courtney Taylor, community development officer at Veritex Community Bank. “The PGP helps us impact the community in which we live and serve.”

Some notable achievements of Career Gear Houston include helping more than 1,122 veterans transition into the workforce and offering employment support services to 1,100 unemployed fathers and 877 youth.

“The PGP is unique because it promotes community development by strengthening community partnerships,” said FHLB Dallas First Vice President and Director of Community Investment Greg Hettrick. “Veritex’s utilization of the PGP will make a positive impact on its community.”

Career Gear Houston’s Ms. Fishback said the benefits from the PGP funds exceed the monetary value.

“We appreciate the funds, but this partnership goes beyond a check,” she said. “The support from the banks is a testament to their belief in our mission. That’s the true meaning of partnership to me.”

To learn more about the PGP, visit fhlb.com/pgp.

About Veritex Community Bank

Veritex Community Bank is a mid-sized community bank serving its customers with a full suite of banking products and services. Veritex Community Bank has total assets of approximately $8 billion. Veritex bank specializes in providing depository and credit services to retail and small- to mid-size businesses. The name “Veritex” is derived from the Latin word “veritas,” meaning truth, and “Texas.” Veritex Community Bank was founded in 2010 and now has over 40 locations located in Dallas, Fort Worth, Honey Grove and Houston and one located in Louisville, KY.

About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $74.5 billion as of June 30, 2019, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community investment by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 810 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit fhlb.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190829005709/en/