In partnership with the Young Women’s Leadership Academy Foundation (YWLAF) of Chattanooga, SouthEast Bank has committed a three-year investment of $154,500 toward key initiatives that will serve the students and staff of the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy (CGLA) and Montessori Elementary at Highland Park (MEHP). A portion of this investment will go toward the CGLA Backpack for Success Program, while the bulk will support MEHP with three new teacher assistants. Additionally, one CGLA graduating senior will receive a SouthEast Bank Scholarship of $1,500 per year.
CGLA and MEHP are tuition-free Title 1 schools serving 90% low-income and at-risk students, with an emphasis on small class sizes, well-rounded STEM instruction, and leadership development. In 2021, the YWLAF worked to expand its impact in urban neighborhoods of Chattanooga by opening MEHP, which serves co-ed Pre-K through 5th grade students. Nearly 800 students are currently enrolled across both schools and this number is projected to grow by a significant percentage over the next two academic years.
SouthEast Bank’s donation to the CGLA Backpack for Success Program will help address student and family needs by providing food supplies, school supplies, and uniforms, and offsetting testing and college application fees. Students will also receive laptops and home internet access to help provide an uninterrupted learning experience. At MEHP, SouthEast Bank’s investment will provide salaries for key support staff who will assist in organizing learning materials, maximizing the small classroom community, and addressing students’ individual learning needs.
“By investing in CGLA and MEHP, Southeast Bank is helping to break the cycle of poverty and provide opportunities for students to succeed academically and beyond,” says Gus Diamondidis, Director of Advancement and Fund Development at YWLF. “By providing early childhood education opportunities for at-risk children—beginning at age 3—we believe we can have an even greater impact on children in Hamilton County.”
“At SouthEast Bank, we believe that investing in education means investing in the future leaders who will drive our region forward,” says SouthEast Bank Regional President Ron Jones. “When you meet the young women who have been a part of CGLA, their energy, enthusiasm, curiosity, and commitment are immediately evident. Supporting them and the students of MEHP as they reach their potential will undoubtedly benefit our community for years to come.”
About SouthEast Bank:
SouthEast Bank is a community bank headquartered in Farragut, Tennessee. With assets in excess of $2.6 billion, SouthEast Bank offers a full suite of loan and deposit products and services for families and businesses throughout Middle and East Tennessee, including its specialty consumer loan division, ELFI, which specializes in educational loan programs. SouthEast Bank is committed to the financial success of its customers, employees, and communities. Local decision-making and community involvement have been the driving successes of SouthEast Bank since its inception. Member FDIC.
For more information, visit www.southeastbank.com or call 1-844-732-2657.
Media Contact:
Mary Seward
SouthEast Bank Marketing Manager
mseward@southeastbank.com
865-352-1262
