Monson Savings Bank Donates $5,000 to Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley
Left to Right: Ryan McCollum, Healing Racism Board of Directors; Paul Robbins, Healing Racism Board of Directors; Vanessa Otero, Healing Racism Executive Director; Dina Merwin, Monson Savings Bank SVP Chief Risk & Senior Compliance Officer; and Dan Moriarty, Monson Savings Bank President and CEO.
Monson Savings Bank, a locally operated bank celebrating its 150th year of business this year, has a longstanding history in Western Massachusetts communities. Likewise, the Bank has a longstanding history of supporting all people living in the communities that the Bank serves.
Recently, Monson Savings Bank made a $5,000 donation to the Healing Racism Institute, headquartered in Springfield, in support of their work in the region. The Healing Racism Institute aims to help create a better understanding of the root causes and effects of racism, while also explaining the institutional nature of racism. The Institute’s hallmark program is its two-day Healing Racism sessions, which provide a safe environment to learn about the impact of racism on our nation and community in an engaging and transformative process.
“Monson Savings Bank supports the Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley and the important work that they are doing for our communities,” said Dan Moriarty, President and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. “We commend them for all of the work that they do to make the world a better place, specifically working to make the communities we live in a better place. Monson Savings is a local bank, meaning everyone who works at the Bank lives here. We are working, raising our families, and living in the communities that the Healing Racism Institute serves. The organization holds a special place in our hearts because they are making the places we live a better, more equitable place.”
A contribution from Monson Savings Bank will support Healing Racism Institute's campaign to be self-sustaining within three years by building infrastructure and building capacity. Funds will be used to hire staff, create a training center, increase the number of trained facilitators, and provide scholarship support.
“On behalf of the Healing Racism Institute, I would like to extend a sincere thank you to Monson Savings Bank for their generous donation,” said Vanessa Otero, Healing Racism Executive Director. “This donation will help us in our mission to help build racism-free communities.”
To learn more about the Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley, please visit: www.healingracismpv.org
