Fulton Forward Foundation Awards $250,000 Grant to the Tec Centro Workforce Network

Fulton’s investment will support bilingual education and training to underserved populations throughout Central Pennsylvania.

Lancaster, Pa. (Oct. 10, 2024) – Fulton Forward Foundation, an independent, non-profit private foundation funded by Fulton Bank, recently presented a $250,000 grant to the Tec Centro Workforce Network, a coalition of community advocates, public officials, philanthropic leaders, and business professionals serving Central Pennsylvania.

The funding, which will be distributed over the next five years, will support Tec Centro Workforce Network’s expansion of regional workforce development centers in the area, including new curriculum and equipment for each training center. The Network is focused on creating job training and workforce development opportunities across Tec Centro organizations in Lancaster, York, Lebanon and Berks counties, in addition to the establishment of a new Tec Centro in Harrisburg this year.

“Through this initiative, Fulton Bank has the opportunity to help create a pathway to self-sufficiency for underserved members of the community,” said William “Smokey” Glover, executive vice president and director of fair and responsible banking for Fulton Bank and president of Fulton Forward Foundation. “We’re proud to play a role in the Tec Centro Workforce Network mission to help individuals and families rise out of the cycle of poverty with the education, skills, and training needed to secure high-demand jobs and careers that contribute to the region’s economy.”

In collaboration with area community colleges and training programs, Tec Centro provides skilled training that will lead to careers in high-demand areas, including allied health occupations, construction trades, culinary arts, commercial and industrial building maintenance, and bank teller/customer service representatives.

“Fulton’s generous endowment to Tec Centro not only increases the long-term stability of our mission, but it also supports our shared commitment to building and sustaining a thriving economy through workforce development,” said Carlos Graupera, president of the Tec Centro Workforce Network. “With their support, we can expand our assistance to more low-income communities and forge new relationships that will further enable local unemployed and underserved individuals to access the resources they need to build a better future.”

In the photo, left to right, are Kristi Heller, Fulton Bank; Maribel Torres, Lebanon WEPA Empowerment Center; Carlos Graupera, Tec Centro; Rafael Torres, Lebanon WEPA Empowerment Center; and Jill Fidler, Fulton Bank.

The Fulton Forward Foundation is an extension of the bank’s Fulton Forward® initiative, which promotes diversity, equity and inclusion; encourages the building of vibrant communities; fosters affordable housing; drives economic development; and increases financial literacy in the communities served by Fulton Bank.

About Tec Centro Workforce Network

The Tec Centro Workforce Network, with locations in Berks, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York counties, is the primary provider of bilingual education and skills training. Each location operates independently, forging strategic educational partnerships throughout the community to leverage public and private funding and collaborating with area community colleges and training programs to provide skill training that leads to careers in high-demand areas. Tec Centro Workforce Network provides support and infrastructure to create efficiencies and best practices among locations to maximize resources and community impact. For more information, visit https://teccentroregionalnetwork.com/.

About Fulton Bank, N.A.

Headquartered in Lancaster, Pa., Fulton Bank is a premier community bank in the Mid-Atlantic region. As a subsidiary of Fulton Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: FULT), a more than $30 billion financial services holding company, Fulton Bank offers a broad array of products and services at more than 200 financial centers across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia. At Fulton Bank, we seek to change lives for the better by building strong customer relationships, providing significant community support and empowering more than 3,500 employees to do the same. Through the Fulton Forward^® initiative, we’re helping build vibrant communities.