Our TRUIST community partners installed new garden boxes as part of our farm to table nutrition initiative.

Bring up finances to most people and your more likely to get a groan than a laugh. But our friends at Truist made this hour-long workshop fun, delivering it in a way that made it personal for each individual. They began by asking members about what’s most important to them, and then discussed budgeting in a way that tied into how to protect or attain those “valuables,” be it family, education or home-ownership. They provided an online worksheet for us to create a budget, walking everyone through the process of creating their own. They spent time explaining how credit scores work and why they are so crucial to financial wellness.

Clearly, our friends from Truist Bank love what they do, and their enthusiasm was contagious. Those of us in Sarasota saw the late show, as they delivered an equally compelling workshop to our colleagues at Academy of Bradenton before heading south to us. Talk about energy! 

Banking can be intimidating. But these bankers already feel like friends. We are delighted to have partnered with them for financial wellness as part of our FIT initiative. The best part? They’ll be back every month with more great information to keep us financially fit.

The Academy also received a $7,500 Truist Community Development grant for the new instructional, commercial kitchen under construction in Bradenton.

Iwan Mohamed, West Florida regional president for Truist, says that “Truist is proud to support Academy at Glengary, which has a success record in providing workforce programing and on-the-job training for individuals and a pipeline of highly skilled workers for area businesses.”

Truist Financial’s Community Development Manager Tracy MacLean and Sr. Vice President Anthony Calabro (pictured above) made a repeat visit to the Academy to jointly present a check for $37,000. 

Member Holden Seguso spoke at the check presentation, noting how he has significantly increased his confidence in his abilities and has the goal of working in a Transitional Employment position.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Truist and look forward to Tracy and Anthony soon making a trip to the Academy at Bradenton, where members can tell them about their vocational training and career development over a delicious meal prepared in the new kitchen!