First Financial Bank and the First Financial Foundation have provided $30,000 in grants to organizations in southeast Indiana, teaming up with community groups to create positive change in the areas of workforce development and education and neighborhood development with a particular emphasis on low-income communities.
Throughout Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois, First Financial’s 2023 annual grant campaign is providing funding to 66 organizations.
“Our work to help communities thrive and grow often takes the form of collaboration with strong local organization and projects such as these, and I’m confident that our work together will deliver a powerful lift to the neighborhoods, towns and cities we serve,” said Roddell McCullough, chief corporate responsibility officer for First Financial Bank.
In southeast Indiana, First Financial provided grants to the Boys & Girls Club of Seymour, Catch-A-Ride/Lifetime Resources Inc. in Dillsboro and the Ripley County Community Foundation.
The Boys & Girls Club of Seymour received $15,000 from the total $30,000.
“The First Financial Foundation and First Financial Bank have been great partners and supporters of the club since they came to Jackson and Jennings county,” said Ryon Wheeler, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Seymour.
Wheeler said the funds will go toward specifically supporting kids who are testing below grade level in reading and math on their standardized tests at school.
“The funds will allow us to provide those members with intensive tutoring to help them in their learning recovery,” he said.
The program the club utilizes is Indiana Kids. It’s a program all clubs across the state have the opportunity to run.
Since 2006, this program has been a staple in many clubs across the state.
“Having nearly 20 years of data and information on this program allows us to see impact and prove the work we are doing with kids is making a difference,” Wheeler said. “We can benchmark ourselves against historical data as well cumulative statewide data.”
Wheeler said he is proud to say on average, their kids saw a 240% increase in their reading scores and 117% in their math scores this past year.