One Hope United receives $10,000 grant from HSBC
Grant funds benefit programs to help at-risk families
Chicago (June 9, 2010) HSBC – North America, with offices throughout Greater Chicago, has fulfilled a wish grant of $10,000 to One Hope United. The funds will go towards the agency’s Wings, Healthy Families Illinois and The Parent Group programs. One Hope United serves more than 7,100 children and families throughout northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin with child abuse prevention, child development, counseling, family preservation, youth services and placement services (foster care, adoption and kinship care).
“HSBC has always been a wonderful corporate partner and is now matching its support with much needed funds as well,” said Joyce Heneberry, Senior Vice President for One Hope United.
HSBC embraces the principle that corporate responsibility is vital to the success of a company. The company’s philanthropic strategy is focused primarily on two critical issues—education and the environment. In 2009, HSBC’s community investment in North America totaled over $21 million.
Loretta Abrams, Senior Vice President, Community Investment, HSBC – North America, said, “HSBC is pleased to support One Hope United in its valuable work. As ‘The world’s local bank,’ we play an active role in all the communities where we have a presence and that includes Greater Chicago. In particular, the opportunity to help promote youth services and child development is something we are especially proud to be associated with.”
The Parent Group brings parents together with a professional facilitator to sharpen their child-rearing skills. The voluntary service is designed to support parents and teach parenting skills—ultimately preventing child abuse and neglect. English- and Spanish-speaking groups meet weekly. The Parent Group is a voluntary service and there is no cost to the families that take part in the program. This program is funded by private donations and does not receive federal grants. The Parent Group is funded by Chicago Tribune Charities, First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest, Kiwanis Club of Antioch, County Exchange Club, Target Corporation, United Way of Lake County and now, HSBC.
Healthy Families Illinois (HFI) works with first-time parents to promote strength-based parenting skills and family bonds. Services begin during pregnancy or within two weeks after the birth of a child, and provide valuable information on parenting issues, educational opportunities, child development, parent-child bonding, teen parenting and family goals/support plans. In-home visits are scheduled based on family need and can range from multiple visits/week to one visit/month. First-time parents age 14 or older who reside Lake County are eligible, and there is no cost to families in the program.
Wings serves at-risk expecting parents and families with children ages birth to 5 years. Family and environmental risk factors correlated with increased family stress that typically lead to abuse/neglect include: unstable housing, inadequate income, parent education level, history of psychiatric care, baby with physical or developmental concerns, and age of parent, especially adolescent. Targeted for new and expecting parents, Wings promotes positive parent-child interaction. It works to enhance family functioning, build trusting relationships and teach problem-solving skills. The purpose of this service is to prevent child abuse and neglect. This program is available to families from the prenatal period until the child reaches the age of 5, and there is no cost to families for Wings services. This program is funded by Chicago Tribune Charities, Kovler Family Foundation, Target Corporation, Cardinal Health and now, HSBC.
For more information about these programs in Cook County, contact the One Hope United located at 47th Street in Chicago, 312.949.5590, or for Lake County program offerings contact the Waukegan office, 847.245.6800.
Donations are accepted online to benefit these programs and many more. Supporters may specify programs to receive their funds by noting Healthy Families Illinois, The Parent Group or Wings in the note section when donating online.
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About One Hope United
One Hope United is a private human service organization dedicated to protecting children and strengthening families. One Hope United offers a diverse array of prevention, intervention and community-based programs. With principal offices in Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri and Florida, One Hope United serves more than 15,000 children and their families nationwide each year. For more information, visit www.onehopeunited.wpengine.com.
About HSBC – North America
HSBC North America Holdings Inc. is one of the ten largest bank holding companies in the United States with assets of $345 billion at 31 March 2010 (US GAAP). The company’s businesses serve customers in the following key areas: personal financial services, credit cards, specialty insurance products, commercial banking, private banking, and global banking and markets.