Sky Bank Pledges $10,000 to Local Development Program

A $5,000 check, the first installment of a $10,000 pledge was made by representatives of Sky Bank to the Greene Metropolitan Housing Authority yesterday. The donation will fund the Individual Development Account (IDA) program that is administered by The Ohio State University Extension office.

Kim Sease, area sales manager for Sky Bank, presented the funds to Susan Stiles, executive director for Greene Metropolitan Housing Authority. "We are pleased to join local organizations in support of this program," Sease continued, "it is a program with positive, measurable results within our community."

The IDA program began in 1998 by Sensible Shelter, Inc., an agency of Greene Metropolitan Housing Authority. The program provides basic literacy training and money management education to low or moderate income individuals and families. Participants in the program save regularly over a two-year period for the purpose of a down payment on their home, secondary education or entrepreneurship expenses. The funds saved are matched 2:1 up to a maximum of $1,200 then matched up to $3,600. Donations as well as Greene County Job & Family Services PRC Funds support the program.

"We currently have 38 participants in the program and our goal is to have 100 participants by June 2002. It's really a win-win situation. We are the conduit for organizations that want to reinvest in the community and see real results. Individuals who participate in the program receive a higher quality of life," stated Stiles.

Sky Bank has five offices in Greene County and is an affiliate of Sky Financial Group, an $8 billion diversified financial services company.

Those interested in the IDA program or other services offered in conjunction with the Greene Metropolitan Housing Authority can contact Susan Stiles at 376-2908 weekdays.