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Employees come together as one bank to support Women Build in Kansas City

As one of BMO’s strategic partners within community reinvestment, Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City is bringing homeownership to underserved families throughout the city. Kansas City is a unique market in BMO’s footprint and is expanding with Bank of the West’s existing presence, bringing the opportunity to strengthen the relationship with customers and the community. Our partnership with Habitat for Humanity provides funding to support building new homes, financial literacy and education for homebuyers. 


“BMO’s commitment to affordable housing goes beyond financial support. It’s about creating a true partnership with a focus on financial education and volunteerism and BMO delivers on all of them.”

– Melissa Jones
Vice President of Development for Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City


According to Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build initiative, 78% of people served by the organization through the affordable homeownership program are single mothers or women-led households and 63% of people experiencing poverty in Kansas City are women. Often a male dominated space, the initiative also gives community members and women the tools they need to take a proactive stance in building affordable housing. 

BMO joined forces with new colleagues from Bank of the West to come together for the first time in Kansas City to give back to the community. 

Branch managers, assistant managers, bankers and volunteers worked at a Women Build site for two single mothers in Kansas City. Both mothers have experienced instability with housing that does not allow for their families to comfortably live in a space of their own due to the lack of maintenance, increased rent and other issues.  

“There’s no more moving around. No more worrying about stability,” said one of the home recipients. “I want to mold my children into their best selves and becoming a homeowner will take the weight off my shoulders and provide a space to do so.” 


“This was a great opportunity to get to know our new colleagues better and work together as one team to build on our history of community support in Kansas City. 

– Jeffrey McCool
Market President at Bank of the West


 

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