KNOX receives grant

HARTFORD — Bank of America has announced KNOX as the 2017 Neighborhood Builder recipient. Through horticulture and agriculture, KNOX forges partnerships between residents, businesses and government, to build greener and more beautiful neighborhoods in Hartford. KNOX provides workforce training and coordinates a variety of green programs, including community gardening, Trees for Hartford Neighborhoods and Hartford Cleans Up.

Neighborhood Builders is a cornerstone program for Bank of America. Through Neighborhood Builders, the bank provides nonprofits with $200,000 in unrestricted funding, leadership development for the organization’s Executive Director and Emerging Leader, and access to a network of peer organizations across the U.S.

“KNOX has a strong history within Hartford and plays an instrumental role in addressing the community needs of the city; with programs focused on workforce development, wellness and environmental sustainability, they are uniquely positioned to make a difference for Hartford residents,” said Kevin Cunningham, Connecticut president, Bank of America, in a written statement. “The Neighborhood Builders program is designed to connect outstanding nonprofits, like KNOX, to funding and development resources in order to enhance operations and increase impact.”

KNOX employs nearly 50 Hartford residents, providing them the training, skills and opportunities to work in green, cross-industry jobs and be a positive influence in the city they call home. Its Youth Corps members maintain 30 landscapes annually, as well as 20 community gardens that provide over 400 Hartford families with healthy, affordable food. KNOX’s tree crew plants over 500 trees per year, while maintaining another 3,000. KNOX also welcomes nearly 3,000 volunteers each year, empowering them to participate in the organization’s environmental beautification work.

“KNOX is grateful to Bank of America for this grant, which will allow us to continue to provide training and job opportunities for Hartford residents who need them,” said KNOX Executive Director Ron Pitz. “Each of these jobs revitalizes our neighborhoods, whether through trees, gardens, or landscaping. This continues to be possible with the help and friendship of partners like Bank of America.”

KNOX uses horticulture as a catalyst for community engagement, forging partnerships between residents, businesses, and government to build stronger, greener, healthier and more beautiful neighborhoods in Hartford.

Since its founding in 1966, KNOX has been a key partner in improving the city of Hartford and is a nationally recognized leader in the field of community greening. Services include neighborhood beautification and reforestation, park improvement efforts, development of greenways, the oversight and maintenance of both community gardens and public green spaces and the successful administration of a workforce development and green jobs training program.

KNOX relies on donations and support from the community to accomplish its mission. More information is available at www.knoxhartford.org.