Irvine, CA – Jamboree Housing Corporation (JHC) today announced that it won the 2006 Neighborhood Excellence Award. Through its annual Neighborhood Excellence Initiative, Bank of America recognized JHC and Camino Health Center for their work to promote positive change in the Orange County community. JHC’s president, Laura Archuleta, was presented the award last month by Kim Burdick, Bank of America’s Orange County Market President, and Tim Mead, Vice President of Communications for Angels Baseball, before a crowd of more than 150 community leaders that gathered at The Diamond Club at Angel Stadium.
“We are honored to be recognized by Bank of America for our work here in Orange County. It is a tribute to the ongoing commitment of our board and staff to improve the quality of life for families and seniors by furthering the cause of affordable housing for all who call this community home,” said Archuleta. JHC will receive $200,000 in operating support over two years plus leadership training.
Burdick noted that the awards “bring together the best of Orange County to acknowledge the efforts of the people and organizations making an impact, to remind us that there’s more work to be done, and hopefully, to inspire others to make a difference.” Six student leaders and five local heroes were also recognized.
Since its inception in 2004, Neighborhood Builders has helped more than 218 outstanding nonprofits across Bank of America’s 30-state franchise. As Bank of America’s signature philanthropic program, the Neighborhood Excellence Initiative puts a premium on identifying and responding to local needs, including helping top nonprofit organization build capacity, plan for the future, and simply operate every day.
Neighborhood Builders is a competitive award program recognizing community organizations that set themselves apart, are active visionaries, have strong leaders, and create vibrant neighborhoods. The award is open to 501(c)(3) organizations based and serving communities in Bank of America’s Neighborhood Excellence Initiative markets. JHC was chosen for Orange County by a selection committee of local community leaders, each of who volunteered their time to review applications and to determine the excellence criteria within the community. The committee included Lucy Dunn, President and CEO, Orange County Business Council; Dr. Milton Gordon, President, California State University, Fullerton; Paul Folino, Chairman and CEO, Emulex Corporation, and Doug Freeman, Chairman and National Managing Partner, ITT Advistors, LLC.
JHC will use the Neighborhood Builder award to leverage its expertise and experience by serving as an even stronger voice for affordable housing and those who need it. As Orange County’s leading nonprofit developer, it will provide increased incentives to those seeking to build affordable housing, and greater public- private sector cooperation in the planning, financing and delivery of housing that will make a positive contribution to local cities. To accomplish this, JHC is currently working with these Orange County cities to assist them in meeting workforce housing needs – Anaheim, Brea, Irvine, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana and Tustin – and will partner with other cities that need the expertise, resourcefulness and commitment JHC brings to the affordable housing equation.
Bank of America is committed to the economic strength and stability of the communities it serves, believing there is a vital link between the health of its communities’ business and the health of the communities it serves. Its approach to charitable investments deploys philanthropic resources including grants, loans and community programs to help neighborhoods grow and prosper. Bank of America has dedicated more than $48 million nationwide in 2006 to the Neighborhood Excellence Initiative to recognize, nurture and reward organizations, local heroes and student leaders in 40 of the bank’s major communities across the country that are helping to rebuild and revitalize their neighborhoods.
About Jamboree: Founded in 1990, Jamboree Housing Corporation is an award-winning, broad-based nonprofit housing development company that develops, acquires, renovates and manages permanently affordable rental and ownership housing for lower-income families and seniors throughout California. Housing with HEART (Helping Educate, Activate and Respond Together) is a 501 (c)(3) organization and an affiliate of Jamboree Housing Corporation. JHC is Orange County’s leading nonprofit developer with an ownership interest in more than 4,000 affordable rental apartment homes throughout California. Currently, Housing with HEART programs and services are offered at 24 JHC communities with designated staff at each location. More information is available on the company’s Web sites at www.jamboreehousing.com and www.housingwithheart.org.