Local Neighborhood Projects

• Project Clean Slate:
In partnership with several community organizations, Albina Community Bank’s Social Impact Banking Office helped teach this series of financial literacy classes that reached over 500 individuals that were working through challenges with criminal records.  For more information, please visit www.projectcleanslate.com

• First-Time Homebuyer’s Program:
The Portland Housing Center is working with eligible low-income families in the Portland metropolitan area to establish IDA programs. IDA participants will work toward purchasing their first home. Families who qualify will go through extensive training and one-on-one counseling on home buying, budgeting and financial literacy skills. They will also begin saving for their down payment and closing costs.  For more information, please visit www.portlandhousingcenter.org.

ACB is the bank of choice for these IDA accounts, and additionally provides a “How To Save” class for first-time homebuyers, and a special CD rate for these eligible families.

• CASH Oregon:
In partnership with CASH Oregon, ACB has developed a program centered around Earned Income Tax Credits and getting individuals back on their feet after the challenges of filing taxes for both low-income and undocumented workers.  For more information, please visit www.cashoregon.org.

• Mercy Corps:
The Asset Builder Individual Development Accounts (IDA) program fosters and supports asset accumulation by providing training, individualized case management and technical assistance for disadvantaged entrepreneurs. IDAs are matched savings accounts designed to assist low-income families and individuals establish a pattern of regular saving and, ultimately, purchase a lifelong asset. As part of the IDA program, participants are required to attend a six-week workshop series that focuses on financial education and business basics. Upon successful completion of the program, savers receive a matching grant of $2 for every $1 saved to purchase assets for their business.  For more information, please visit www.mercycorpsnw.org.

ACB is the bank of choice for this IDA program to assist their new business owners in the matching grant program.

• Mississippi Avenue Lofts: 
Targeted for LEED® Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Mississippi Avenue Lofts is a new sustainable 56,000 square foot 4-story mixed-use development featuring 32 live/work one, two-bedroom and penthouse lofts, secure parking and 5,900 square feet of ground floor commercial space.  Consistent with their efforts to use more responsible products and services, the Mississippi Avenue Lofts team is also committed to local community banking and partners Albina as the primary construction and residential lender.  Please visit www.mississippiavenuelofts.com to learn more about how the project is doing its part to reduce, reuse and recycle.

• Open Meadow Schools:
Open Meadow is a private, non-profit, accredited, educational organization serving youth who have not fared well in the public schools.  Since 1971, Open Meadow has been making a difference in the lives of North Portland youth by providing personalized educational experiences for middle and high school youth.  The organization’s mission is to educate youth in small, relationship-based programs that emphasize personal responsibility, academics, and service to the community.  Albina Community Bank is a proud corporate sponsor of the organization providing financial education training and internship opportunities for its students. Visit www.openmeadow.org for more information.