CLINTON (November 8, 2013) - Unity Bank is participating in a special program designed to enhance the safety and quality of life of the 40,000 Veterans living in 160 state Veteran nursing homes in the U.S. The Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation's Senior Crimestoppers program is a collaboration with the Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation (SHCPF), the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and the American Bankers Association (ABA).
"Unity Bank is committed to addressing the issues and concerns of the communities we serve," said Unity Bank President & CEO James A. Hughes. "Unfortunately, all of us sometimes overlook the many sacrifices our veterans have made for the freedoms we enjoy today. Ensuring an environment free of abuse, crime and neglect is within our reach and is the least we can do for the men and women who have served our country."
Senior Crimestoppers is built on a zero tolerance-to-crime platform that is vigilantly maintained for the residents, staff, management and visitors. Each resident is provided their own personal lock box to safeguard valuables. In addition, cash rewards up to $1,000 are posted on every crime incident that is reported to the SCS call center. Rewards are paid anonymously to tipsters having information about the crime incident reported. In addition, all facilities in the program display a membership charter and are provided regular in-service training for residents, staff and management together.
"Protecting our nation's 40,000 elderly veterans living in long-term care is a need that must be addressed, and I can't think of no better way to get this done than by asking every bank in the country to allocate a portion of their annual Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) budget to securing the Foundation's successful Senior Crimestoppers program," said SHCPF Chairman, President & CEO Peter K. Gwaltney.
The Senior Crimestoppers program is a proprietary operation of the SHCPF, a national organization, which was established to provide a way for banks to earn CRA credit through support of nursing home residents, who are classified as low-to-moderate income individuals with employee oath sheets, yard signs and quarterly reporting of crime prevention status.
Because of Unity Bank, each Veteran resident will be provided a specially designed Veterans personal lock box. In addition, SHCPF will provide each state Veterans nursing home with its annual Time of Your Life video exhibit for the resident's enjoyment and each facility will receive an annual cash contribution for a Wish Comes True grant to be given to select Veterans.
"America's servicemen and women dedicate their lives to ensuring our freedom and making our country a safer place to live. Our nation's more than 7,000 community banks are proud to call many of these Veterans customers and serve them in cities and towns throughout Main Street America," said Gary Teagno, president and CEO of the Services Network for the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA). "ICBA is pleased to support this important effort that will provide our Veterans with peace of mind, safety and security."
For more information regarding the Veterans Initiative or the Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation, please contact Terry Rooker at 877-232-0859 or visit us on our website at www.SHCPFoundation.org. For more information about the Senior Crimestoppers program, please visit www.seniorcrimestoppers.org
About Unity Bancorp, Inc.
Unity Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: UNTY), the parent company of Unity Bank, its primary and wholly owned subsidiary, is a financial services organization headquartered in Clinton, N.J. Unity Bank provides financial services to retail, corporate and small business customers through its 15 bank branches in Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset, Union and Warren Counties in New Jersey and Northampton County, Pennsylvania. Unity Bank provides traditional and community-oriented commercial banking services, including personal and business checking accounts and time deposits, money market accounts and regular savings accounts. For more information, please visit www.unitybank.com or call 800-618-BANK (800-618-2265).