NEW YORK, Jan. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ponce Bank has appointed Marlene Cintron to the Bank’s Board of Directors. Cintron, a lifelong Bronx resident and proud Puerto Rican, is a distinguished leader whose career has been defined by advancing economic empowerment, public service, and opportunities for historically underserved communities. Cintron’s work spans more than three decades across public policy, economic development, finance, and government relations. Her impact has been felt nationally and loc ...

Problem Statement & Initial Solution - The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation faces severe housing crisis, with families living in dilapidated conditions and lacking adequate shelter [1] - "In our Hands" charity was founded to address this need, initially focusing on clean energy solutions like solar power for the Lakota radio station [1] - The community's primary need was identified as affordable and durable housing suitable for the harsh climate [1][2][3] Innovation & Development - The organization explored alternative building materials and discovered high-performance structural cellular concrete [5] - They developed a dome-shaped home design using nested pneumatic forms, aiming for affordability and rapid construction [6][7] - Prototypes were tested and refined, leading to the construction of three domes in Iowa within three weeks [7][8][9] - The domes proved resilient, withstanding a direct hit from a tornado [10] Implementation & Scaling - The first dome on the Pine Ridge reservation faced challenges during construction but was ultimately successful [11][12][13] - The domes demonstrated excellent insulation, requiring only a 700W space heater to maintain warmth during extreme cold [14] - The design has been implemented in multiple states, meeting code requirements and receiving certifications of occupancy [16] - The organization is transitioning to modular, traditionally shaped homes for larger scale and cost-effectiveness [18][19] Future Goals & Systemic Change - The goal is to create a pathway for families to access affordable, energy-efficient homes and build generational wealth [20][21] - The organization aims to scale the solution by training contractors and partnering with universities, community lenders, and government entities [20][22] - The long-term vision is to redesign the housing system to prioritize people over profit and promote inclusion [22][23] - The call to action is for individuals to challenge existing systems and actively participate in building a better world [23][24][25]

Core Insights - The event on December 4, 2025, will celebrate the transformation of the Prichard building in Huntington, highlighting completed residential spaces and future project phases aimed at community revitalization [1][2]. Company Involvement - CVS Health has invested over $17 million in the Prichard project, contributing to the development of affordable senior housing and reinforcing its commitment to community health [3]. - CVS Health's broader investment in affordable housing in West Virginia exceeds $21 million, resulting in the creation or preservation of over 800 affordable housing units [3]. Community Impact - The transformation of the Prichard building is seen as a collaborative effort that enhances community wellbeing and provides safe housing for seniors [4]. - The project reflects a commitment to preserving local history while fostering new opportunities for residents [3][4]. Event Details - The event is free and open to the public, encouraging media coverage and community engagement [4].

I spent a lot of time just trying to distill why are the Packers here. What's our purpose. So that every decision that we make, everything that we choose to do or choose not to do, would be looked at through the lenses of our purpose.And we did distill it down to three pretty simple things. Win football games, keep the Packers in Green Bay, and strengthen our community. That’s Ed Policy, the president and CEO of the Green Bay Packers.Ed is leading one of the most iconic sports teams into a new era. We talk ...

Core Points - Provident Bank awarded $63,000 in grants to eight local non-profit organizations through its Community Partnership Program, focusing on community development, economic empowerment, financial literacy, and housing in low- and moderate-income areas of New Jersey [1][4][6] - The Community Partnership Program demonstrates Provident Bank's commitment to collaborating with non-profits to support long-term economic prosperity in the communities it serves [2][6] - The non-profit recipients include organizations dedicated to affordable housing, education, financial resources, and community empowerment, such as the Urban League of Essex County and Ironbound Community Corporation [4][5] Summary by Category Funding and Grants - Provident Bank provided a total of $63,000 in grants to eight local non-profits, supporting initiatives that promote community development and economic empowerment [1][4] - The funding aims to enhance financial literacy and education, as well as housing and homeownership opportunities in low- and moderate-income communities [1][4] Community Impact - The awarded organizations are making significant contributions to their communities, focusing on affordable housing, education access, and economic self-sufficiency [4][5] - Notable recipients include the Housing Partnership, which promotes responsible homeownership, and NORWESCAP, which creates opportunities for low-income families [4][5] Organizational Commitment - Since July 2023, Provident Bank has partnered with over a dozen local non-profits through the Community Partnership Program, emphasizing economic opportunity and sustainable growth [5][6] - The bank's initiatives are designed to uplift local residents and strengthen community ties, reflecting its dedication to fostering inclusive economic development [6][7]

The Problem of Affordable Housing - The average housing cost in Austin, Texas is over $560,000, while over 580,000 people in the United States remain unhoused [2] - Over 37% of the homeless population endures substance abuse, making it difficult to break the cycle without stability and safety [3] - Affordable housing faces challenges from skyrocketing land costs, restrictive zoning laws, and expensive construction materials [4] Innovative Solutions - Tiny homes, costing $20,000 or $200,000, are efficient, sustainable, and affordable solutions to homelessness [4][5] - Community First Village in Austin, Texas, provides a neighborhood for people coming out of chronic homelessness, offering job training and mental health support [5][6] - Companies like ICON are 3D printing homes using a durable and weather-resistant material called Lavarete [7][8] The Evolution of Housing - Post-World War II, mass-produced homes (Levittowns) were affordable but lacked individuality and sustainability [8] - In the 1970s, modular housing allowed for faster and cheaper construction [9] - Current innovations include solar-powered homes, upcycled shipping containers, and recyclable construction materials [9] Call to Action - Advocate for affordable housing policies, support organizations like Community First, and educate oneself about companies like ICON [11] - Challenge the status quo and take action to create a world where no one is left behind [10][12]

Core Points - First Bank extends its partnership with the Carolina Hurricanes for an additional three years, building on the previous season's success which raised nearly $27,000 for the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation [1][2] - The Good Goals program will see First Bank donate $100 for each goal scored by the Hurricanes during the regular season until the 2027-28 season, enhancing community engagement [2][3] - First Bank's CEO emphasizes the alignment of this partnership with the bank's mission to support local communities, while the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation expresses gratitude for the ongoing support [3][4] Company Overview - First Bank, headquartered in Southern Pines, North Carolina, has total assets of approximately $12.4 billion and operates 113 branches in North and South Carolina [5] - The bank has been recognized for its effective response to Hurricane Helene, receiving the Most Effective Recovery Award in the Americas from BCI, and is a finalist for global awards [4][5] Foundation and Team Information - The Carolina Hurricanes Foundation focuses on meeting the health and educational needs of underserved populations in the community [6] - The Carolina Hurricanes, established in 1997, have won six division championships, two Eastern Conference titles, and the 2006 Stanley Cup [7]

[Music] Many of you in this room, you've had brilliant ideas for business, beautiful ideas you want to implement and then before you know it, there's no capital. Has that happened to you. That happened to us in 2018 when we had a beautiful idea to do a stadium and a business park. This was a 20,000 seater stadium and a business park.But we needed 50 billion Ugandan shellings. That's around $15 million. But we only had 10 billion Ugandan shellings.So where are we going to get 40 billion. The first thing whic ...

Core Insights - EllisDon Corporation has won two awards at the Toronto Construction Association's 2024 "Best of the Best" awards, including the Innovation Award for its crane climbing solution and the Community Leader Award for Mohammad Al-Salem's contributions to community development [1][4]. Group 1: Awards and Recognition - The Innovation Award was given to EllisDon for its novel crane climbing solution, which is a first-of-its-kind technique for climbing the Comedil CTL-630 tower crane within the elevator shaft of a high-rise building, currently awaiting patent approval [2]. - Mohammad Al-Salem, Community Benefits Manager at EllisDon, received the Community Leader Award for his efforts in community development and fostering inclusive growth through mentorship and training programs [3][4]. Group 2: Company Innovation and Community Impact - The crane climbing solution at 141 Bay exemplifies EllisDon's commitment to innovation and operational excellence, showcasing the company's ability to tackle complex challenges in construction [3]. - Al-Salem emphasized the importance of bridging opportunities for underrepresented groups, highlighting the collective effort of the EllisDon team in empowering communities and creating sustainable growth [4].