The Connection

Dan O’Neill, president and CEO of SunTrust Greater Washington/Maryland Division, presented a check for $25,000 on behalf of the SunTrust Foundation to The Campagna Center’s Building Better Futures program for at-risk teens.

“Our partnership with The Campagna Center goes back many years,” O’Neill said as he presented the check to Campagna Center CEO Tammy Mann Aug. 27. “This is a vital organization in a community where many people have needs.”

Now in its 12th year, Building Better Futures is a program operated by The Campagna Center to serve primarily at-risk high school students in the City of Alexandria. During the 2014-2015 school year, Building Better Futures served 134 students at T.C. Williams High School, with 82 percent of those students qualifying for free or reduced price lunch.

One element of Building better Futures is the College Leadership Program, which includes visiting colleges, learning about applying for financial aid and scholarships, resume writing and interviewing skills, and participating in community service projects throughout the year. Last year, 100 percent of regularly participating seniors applied and were accepted into college.

“Now more than ever it is imperative that young people have access to people and resources that help them navigate the complicated landscape of life beyond high school,” Mann said. “We are deeply grateful for the grant provided by the SunTrust Foundation as we prepare to kick-off another successful program year. This is a program we know is making a difference.”

Alejandro Villarroel, a participant in the Building Better Futures program while attending T.C. Williams, went on to earn a master’s degree in nutrition sciences from George Mason University and was recently hired as The Campagna Center’s health and nutrition coordinator.

“The amount of volunteer work and writing opportunities that I received through Building Better Futures is the foundation on which all my skills are based,” Villarroel said. “I learned to appropriately and successfully interact with people. I learned the importance of effective networking. And most importantly, I learned the importance of continuing my education.”

Joining O’Neill in presenting the grant award were SunTrust senior vice presidents Mary Anne Martins and Laura Lawler, both of whom have served on The Campagna Center’s board of directors.

“The bank has been a supporter of The Campagna Center for 35 to 40 years now,” Lawler said.

Mann also announced that the center will be consolidating its middle school program, formerly operated through a 21st Century Grant, as a part of Building Better Futures to create a program for 6th through 12th graders.

“The Campagna Center’s Building Better Futures program helps young people achieve greater success as they enter adulthood and aligns with SunTrust’s purpose of ‘Lighting the Way to Financial Well-being,’” O’Neill said. “We are pleased to provide this contribution to support delivering this practical knowledge and these important skills to high school students.”

For more information, visit www.campagnacenter.org.