Bank awards $6,500 to Aurora Habitat for Humanity

AURORA - Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity has received a $6,500 community development grant from First National Bank of DeKalb.

Fox Valley Habitat, 250 S. Highland Ave. in Aurora, is among 51 organizations awarded First National grants said Rev. Jeff Barrett, Habitat executive director. He said the grant will fund a partnership with East Aurora High School's building trades program. Under the partnership, 13 East High students are rehabbing a Habitat home at 775 George Ave. in Aurora.

Aurora residents Lawella Szwseda and her two daughters have been selected to purchase the home with a zero-interest mortgage from Habitat. In addition to repaying the mortgage, Szwseda will invest 500 hours of sweat equity, volunteer labor, in her and other Habitat projects.

"For a third straight year, First National Bank has stepped up to help Habitat provide affordable housing in the communities in which residents live, work and support," Rev. Barrett said,

"Through their generosity, not only the families who will receive the homes but the young men and women working in the building trades program will reap blessings for years to come."

Habitat's grant was among more than $1.1 million in community development grants First National Bank awarded to 51 organizations in Illinois, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, South Dakota and Texas.

The grants to support affordable housing, educated workforce and economic development programs mark the bank's final disbursement of grant funding for 2016.