LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC), one of America’s leading community banks and one of the top military-friendly employers in the nation, today announced a $50,000 donation to New Directions for Veterans (NDVets) to support veteran and homeless-veteran initiatives throughout Los Angeles. With Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s leadership to combat military veteran homelessness in Los Angeles, Wells Fargo reaffirmed its commitment to helping veterans successfully transition back into civilian life.
“Los Angeles is spearheading a new approach to housing our homeless veterans with an unprecedented collaboration that brings together the philanthropy of the private sector with the expertise of nonprofits and the scale of government,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Wells Fargo is setting an example for corporate partners across the country who are stepping up to help us meet the homelessness crisis head on.”
“Our veterans nobly give themselves to our country, help secure our homeland and advance the cause of freedom,” said Lisa Stevens, EVP, Wells Fargo. “Wells Fargo has chosen to embark upon a mission aimed at giving back to those who have so honorably served our country. With their military service now behind them, Wells Fargo endeavors to be part of the solution by helping lay the foundation for what now lies ahead of them. We are honored to provide resources such as financial education to help veterans and their families achieve and maintain homeownership and attain successful career transitions.”
In an effort to amplify the conversation in supporting homeless veterans and honor the sacrifice of those who serve in the military, Wells Fargo also unveiled plans to have the New Directions Veterans Choir perform the closing show for the 2016 Rose Parade. This year the Rose Parade closing show will honor the United States of America with “This is My Country,” featuring the New Directions Veterans Choir, an award-winning a cappella group comprised of veterans who served in the United States Military, but whose struggles following their service left them homeless.
The Wells Fargo Foundation has supported NDVets in Los Angeles for the past five years, donating nearly $300,000 to their programs for homeless veterans. In addition to the Rose Parade closing show, Wells Fargo’s iconic stagecoach equestrian units will make an appearance earlier in the parade hosting participants of Warriors to Summits, a program of nonprofit No Barriers USA, whose mission is to provide transformative expeditions for veterans with disabilities and help them reach new personal heights.
“We feel honored to ride in the Wells Fargo stagecoach and recognize the many achievements of our Warriors on a national stage. We are thankful to have Wells Fargo as a corporate supporter who elevates our mission to unleash the potential of the human spirit,” said John Toth director of No Barriers Warriors. “Through transformative experiences, tools and inspiration, we help people embark on a quest to contribute their absolute best to the world.”
About Wells Fargo
For the last decade Wells Fargo has been ranked the top corporate philanthropic donor in Los Angeles, donating more than $23 million in 2014 to local nonprofits, schools and community organizations. Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.8 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through 8,700 locations, 12,800 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 36 countries to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 265,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 30 on Fortune’s 2015 rankings of America’s largest corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. Wells Fargo perspectives are also available at Wells Fargo Blogs and Wells Fargo Stories.
About New Directions For Veterans (ND Vets)
Since 1992, New Directions for Veterans (www.ndvets.org) has been providing transitional and permanent supportive housing, as well as mental health services, substance abuse treatment, job training and placement, legal assistance, and financial literacy education, to at-risk and homeless veterans. Each year, the agency serves more than 1,100 veterans and their families throughout Los Angeles County.
About No Barriers USA Warriors to Summits
No Barriers Warriors is a program of No Barriers USA whose mission is to unleash the potential of the human spirit. The program empowers veterans and transitioning service members with disabilities, and survivors of the fallen, to overcome barriers and unleash their potential. Their experiences serve as both an opportunity for growth and catalyst for change as these brave men and women stretch boundaries, build teams, innovate through adversity and step up to lead and serve others. Complementing the reintegration process, this program provides quality transformative experiences that inspire warriors to grow and continue to contribute their absolute best to the world.
About the Pasadena Tournament of Roses®
The Pasadena Tournament of Roses is a volunteer organization that annually hosts the Rose Parade®, the Rose Bowl Game® and a variety of associated events. The Tournament’s 935 volunteer members act as ambassadors of the organization within the community and serve on one of 31 committees that ensure the success of the parade and game. Collectively, they contribute upwards of 80,000 hours of manpower each year. The 127th Rose Parade presented by Honda and themed “Finding Your Adventure,” will take place Thursday, Jan. 1, 2016, followed by the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual. For additional information on the Tournament of Roses please visit the official website at www.tournamentofroses.com
