Citizens Bank Donates $350K To Crossroads
April 11, 2006
www.turnto10.com news
PROVIDENCE -- There's a new face of homelessness.
Families are in crisis and most of them are working, but
can't afford a home.
And the price of homes and apartments keep climbing.
"It's really made in unaffordable for people with
average jobs," said Citizens Bank of Rhode Island CEO
Joseph MarcAurele.
On Tuesday, Citizens Bank donated $350,000 to homeless
service organization Crossroads, for a shelter without
fanfare.
"They really take their community involvement seriously
and give back time and time again," Gov. Don Carcieri
said.
But according to Crossroads president Anne Nolan, the
homeless problem keeps growing every day and every month.
Sen. Jack Reed (D) said a family should earn at least $45,000
to afford a decent two-bedroom apartment.
"The other reality is 123,000 families make $25,000 or
less," he said.
Government statistics show in a five-year period, 2-3 percent
will wind up homeless. Eight million people or roughly eight
times the population of Rhode Island.
As workmen finish the project, 15 families can move into the
expanded shelter within a month and into apartments by the
end of the summer.
Heather Audet hopes to move into one of those apartments with
her three kids.
"It made a very big difference," she said. "If
it weren't for Crossroads, we wouldn't have anywhere to
go."