Partnering in our Communities

The Bank has partnered with the Waterfront Historic Area League (WHALE) for several economic development projects that will revitalize historically significant downtown New Bedford landmarks and provide much needed affordable housing. The Bank provided a $25,000 emergency grant to replace the boiler at the historic First Baptist church, with-out which the building would have been damaged beyond repair. VP Rich Farmer volunteered on this project restoring historic windows. The Foundation provided a $10,000 grant for the Neighborhood Restoration Strategy Revolving Loan Fund, which targets key foreclosed properties that are in need of ‘rescue’ and renovation. The Bank has also partnered with the New Bedford Port Society and WHALE on two of the oldest buildings in New Bedford, the Mariner’s Home and Seamen’s Bethel. In addition to a $5,000 grant to help restore these buildings, we provided a construction financing loan as well as served as the Federal Historic Tax Credit investor. Other projects include the Howland House, a former whaler’s mansion, and the Co-Creative Center (CCC) both of which will include affordable housing. The CCC is a redevelopment of Barker’s Lane Block, a renovation of two comercial buildings in the heart of downtown which will be used to support and celebrate artists and cultural entrepreneurship. The Bank will also be providing equity financing for this important revitalization initiative.

Bristol County Savings Bank has been participating in the  Saving Makes Cents (SMC) program since its inception in 1993 and currently serves five area schools in Attleboro, North  Attleboro, Taunton, Raynham and Rehoboth. A program  developed for elementary school children by the State  Treasurer’s Office, SMC teaches monetary concepts, including how to open a savings account, the origin of money and basic budgeting skills. At the beginning of each school year, all participating students receive their passbook savings booklet with an initial $5 deposit from the Bank. BCSB officers  encourage the students to make a weekly deposit and grow  their savings accounts throughout the year.

The collective mission of Meeting Street and The Schwartz Center is to empower children and their families to thrive by fostering the development of the whole child. In addition to the consistent support of the Foundation, several Bank employees participated in the Meeting Street Telethon for the second straight year and helped the organization raise over $1.0 million. John Silva, Dennis Leahy and Jeff Bradley manned the phones at the Providence campus and Elizabeth Pimentel, Dave Medeiros and Nancy Cabral were fielding calls at the Dartmouth campus. The Bank also provides volunteers to this organization throughout the year, most notably Michele Roberts who serves on Meeting Street’s Board and is Co-chair of the Development Committee, and Elizabeth Pimentel who captains the organization’s annual “Walk-N-Roll” fundraiser.

Leadership SouthCoast is a community leadership development program designed to cultivate and prepare the next generation of leaders. The program deepens understanding of the region and engages the class to work on team-based community action projects to assist local non-profit and public organizations in developing new initiatives that address community challenges. The Bank has not only sent our own employees through Leadership SouthCoast, but the Foundation has funded grants for the program as well as provided tuition assistance so employees of area non-profits could also participate.

Heidrea for Heroes was founded in 2013 to ease the transition for veterans as they re-enter civilian life and empower them towards self-sufficiency, personal fulfillment and professional development. The Bank has funded its Success Readiness Series which offers webinars on life skills, financial literacy and workforce preparedness topics. As the vice president of training at the Bank and a Heidrea for Heroes Board Member, Mariano Pimentel is in a unique position to provide guidance on workforce training. In addition, Jenn Oldfield, a Mortgage Originator with BCSB, has helped provide workshops for veterans who are preparing to purchase a new home. Delivering this valuable information to veterans who are transitioning to civilian life, helps them achieve personal economic success by guiding them toward professional productivity, financial literacy and self-reliance.