Center for Teen Empowerment Rochester Named Bank of America’s 2024 Neighborhood Champion

The Center for Teen Empowerment Rochester (TE) has been named Bank of America’s 2024 Neighborhood Champion, receiving a $50,000 grant and leadership training to support its work empowering local youth to create positive change in the community.

The Neighborhood Champions® program, active in more than 40 communities nationwide, recognizes high-impact nonprofits with flexible multiyear funding and expert leadership training to help organizations grow.

“Center for Teen Empowerment Rochester equips teens with the skills to address critical community challenges,” said Colleen Matteson, president, Bank of America Rochester. “Through programs that focus on leadership development, dialogue, and engagement, Center for Teen Empowerment creates opportunities for teens to build confidence, develop life skills, and positively impact their communities. The Neighborhood Champions program will help the organization continue empowering youth to help our community thrive.”

For years, Teen Empowerment has been a key Bank of America partner, offering local teens leadership training, community organizing opportunities, and facilitated dialogue sessions to address issues like public safety, education, and neighborhood cohesion. The new funding will enhance training and professional development for TE’s staff as the organization grows to serve more teens across Rochester.

"The Neighborhood Champions award provides an incredible boost to Teen Empowerment's work as we have recently expanded our neighborhood sites, the number of youth hired and our staff team,” said Doug Ackley, executive director, Teen Empowerment Rochester. “Supporting young people to carry out change work in our communities makes sense and Bank of America Rochester understands this and has been a longstanding partner."

The Neighborhood Champions program is highly competitive, with honorees selected by a panel of community leaders and past awardees. Since its launch in 2019, Bank of America has invested over $9 million in more than 200 nonprofits nationwide.

Past Rochester recipients include Spiritus Christi Prison Outreach, Center for Employment Opportunities, University of Rochester, Veterans Outreach Center, and the Center for Youth.

For more information on Bank of America’s initiatives and updates, visit the Bank of America newsroom.