Bridgeport, CT - The Housatonic Community College Foundation (HCCF) announced that Patriot Bank has awarded a $15,000 grant to support student scholarships. The Patriot Bank Scholarship Award will aid students with proven academic performance and demonstrated financial need as they strive to reach their educational goals.
Additionally, upon learning about the heightened food insecurity and housing crisis facing many Housatonic Community College (HCC) students, the bank pledged an additional $1,000 per month of support. In addition to helping students facing housing emergencies, the college operates an on-campus Food Pantry funded by the HCC Foundation and provides students with nutritious food options and basic necessities so they can stay focused on their education.
“Patriot Bank recognizes food insecurity and housing needs are obstacles to academic performance, retention, and graduations,” said Rob Russell, President and CEO of Patriot. Like HCC’s Foundation, Patriot is committed to the success of the communities we serve and we are honored to partner with Dr. Smith, Kristy Jelenik and the Housatonic Foundation who share the same mission to help everyone succeed.”
Patriot Bank and Housatonic have a longstanding partnership. The community-focused bank, with Connecticut branches across Fairfield and New Haven counties, provides the college with a financial literacy website, workshops and educational panels for students, and placed a no-fee ATM on campus.
“It was such a great experience at Patriot Bank where I was able to implement and see all the theorem and principles that we learned in school. I'm very thankful for this opportunity and hope this will continue in the future for some other students,” said Koffi who is treasurer of the HCC chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society.
“Patriot Bank is an incredible partner, and we are grateful for their generous support,” said Kristy Jelenik, Executive Director of the Housatonic Community College Foundation. “Their funding and engagement provide opportunities for motivated, high achieving students who would otherwise not have them in achieving a quality education and training needed for continuing education, rewarding careers and financial stability.”
To learn more about Patriot Bank, visit www.bankpatriot.com. To learn more about the Housatonic Community College Foundation, visit housatonicfoundation.org or call 203.332.5078. To learn more about Housatonic Community College, visit www.housatonic.edu.