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Conard House Awarded Grant From the Bank of America Charitable Foundation

Posted on: Thursday, 6 November 2008, 09:00 CST

Conard House, a pioneering nonprofit organization developing resources to help people self-manage mental illness since 1960, announced today that it has received a $5,000 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation for their Work Sights program, which helps clients get back on their feet with employment resources and job skills. The grant will be formally announced at tonight's "Work Sights" Community Forum meeting (www.conard.org for details)

For so many people, a job is a critical step in the recovery process, regardless of whether the work is part time, full time, or even volunteering. Funds from the grant will give Conard House additional resources to provide its Supportive Housing residents with critical vocational assessment, counseling, job placement and job retention training. Conard House employs many residents in both office/program positions and in property management services. The organization works in partnership with the San Francisco community to provide a diverse range of external employment opportunities as well, including retail and food sales, customer service and security.

"Conard House has a long and strong track record of providing important job training and other transformational services to people living with chronic mental illness," said Janice Sears, San Francisco market president, Bank of America. "Conard House is the only nonprofit in San Francisco working with public and private sectors to empower this important population of people towards better and healthier lives. Bank of America is pleased to support these truly impactful efforts."

"We are grateful to Bank of America for recognizing our work and delivering additional funding, which will enable us to provide employment services to people living with chronic mental illness," said Richard Heasley, Executive Director of Conard House. "Many people suffering with mental illness face a dual challenge of recovery from mental illness, and resuming the skills and abilities needed to function successfully within the community -- including the workplace. National studies as well as conversations with our clients show clearly that a job is essential to the recovery process. A job can help someone get back on track by offering dignity, self-respect, a clear sense of identity, and hope for the future."

About Bank of America Charitable Foundation

Building on a long-standing tradition of investing in the communities it serves, Bank of America will embark in 2009 on a new, ten-year goal to donate $2 billion to nonprofit organizations engaged in improving the health and vitality of their neighborhoods. Funded by Bank of America, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation gave more than $200 million in 2007, making the bank the most generous financial institution in the world and the second largest donor of all U.S. corporations in cash contributions. Bank of America approaches giving through a national strategy called "neighborhood excellence" under which it works with local leaders to identify and meet the most pressing needs of individual communities. Through Team Bank of America, bank associate volunteers contributed more than 650,000 hours in 2007 to enhance the quality of life in their communities nationwide. For more information about Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy, please visit http://www.bankofamerica.com/foundation.

About Conard House

Conard House, Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization, providing mental health services to residents of San Francisco. Founded upon core principles of self-empowerment, self-determination and the least restrictive, community-based living, Conard House opened its doors in 1960 as the first "halfway house" for adults following hospitalization. Today it serves more than 2,100 people in a dozen locations. Support for its programs and services come from various city agencies, service fees from organizations, rents from residents, grants from foundations and gifts from donors. For more information about Conard House and its programs, please visit www.conard.org.

 Media Contact:  Annette Shimada Kickstart Consulting (805) 991 5898 Email Contactwww.kickstartconsulting.com

SOURCE: Conard House

Source: MARKET WIRE

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