Month: August 2023

Gen Blog | Corporate Responsibility

By Kim Allman Head of Corporate Responsibility and Government Affairs

The tactics of intimate partner violence and domestic abuse are rapidly changing as we spend more and more time online. Technology abuse — particularly the use of software like stalkerware to track domestic partners or monitor their online behavior — is an often overlooked part of domestic violence.

There is a critical need to ensure survivors and advocates understand tech-facilitated abuse and its impact, and how to identify it.

In 2022, Norton, one of Gen’s trusted Cyber Safety brands, expanded its long-term partnership with The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) to address this need. NNEDV offers programs and initiatives that address the complex causes and far-reaching consequences of domestic violence. It also offers information and resources to victims of domestic violence — and empowers survivors as they build new lives.

We pledged a $100,000 grant for 2022, 2023 and 2024 to support NNEDV’s important initiatives and create new Cyber Safety resources. I’m proud to announce that together we have made great progress over the last year and I’m excited to share our first joint resource.

New Resource Helps Survivors Increase Their Privacy and Security 

One of the partnership’s biggest outputs was the creation of Securing Devices and Accounts, a new privacy- and security-focused resource for survivors. The guide builds upon Norton and NNEDV’s previous work to increase knowledge about device and account security and privacy.

It addresses survivors’ concerns about common devices and accounts, including considerations for whether the abusive person may or may not have physical or remote access. The guide was created to increase survivors’ knowledge about and comfort with technology, empower them to increase their security and privacy, and help them make decisions based on their individual needs and circumstances. Based on average views of toolkits on TechSafety.org, we estimate that at least 30,000 individuals will access the guide annually.

Additional Efforts to End Intimate Partner Violence 

As part of its partnership with Norton, NNEDV also deepened its collaborative work between the Safety Net team and the Economic Justice team. The two teams are working together to create accessible resources to help advocates, survivors and the public better understand technology safety as it directly relates to financial security and financial abuse. NNEDV’s Economic Justice team works to address financial abuse and support survivors. One example is its Safety Net Team’s Independence Project—NNEDV’s credit-building micro-loan program.

In the coming months, our partnership with NNEDV’s Safety Net and Economic Justice teams will result in another resource, this one focused on the intersection of financial abuse and technology-facilitated abuse, to help survivors and victim service providers understand and navigate the privacy and security of their financial accounts. Additionally, with Norton’s support, NNEDV’s team continues to participate in advisory conversations with technology companies to minimize opportunities for abuse online and increase options for survivors to increase their privacy, security and overall safety.

Norton, as well as Avira and Avast, two more of Gen’s trusted consumer brands, are proud to be members of the Coalition Against Stalkerware, which was formed to help keep malicious technology, like Stalkerware, out of the hands of abusers. 

We will continue to partner with NNEDV and the Coalition Against Stalkerware to help more victims and survivors, as well as advocates, get the resources they need to address domestic violence and feel safer. If you are interested in learning more, check out NNEDV’s upcoming 2023 Safety Net Technology Summit. Dr. Armin Wasicek, a security expert and senior researcher at Gen, will be speaking on a panel at the event. You can also review the Survivor Technology Safety Toolkit.

Gen™ is a global company dedicated to powering Digital Freedom with a family of trusted consumer brands including Norton, Avast, LifeLock, Avira, AVG, ReputationDefender and CCleaner.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 11, 2023 /3BL/ – Truist Financial Corporation (NYSE: TFC) and Truist Foundation announced $17 million in commitments to support affordable housing in Charlotte and career development and economic mobility programs across North Carolina.

The Truist commitment consists of three initiatives:

$15 million equity investment from Truist Community Capital in the Housing Impact Fund II to combat displacement, secure affordable housing and facilitate critical services for low-to-moderate income families across Mecklenburg County. It is the second such fund formed by Erskine Bowles, former head of the U.S. Small Business Administration and White House Chief of Staff under President Clinton, and Nelson Schwab, a founding partner of Carousel Capital.$1 million Truist Foundation grant to Per Scholas North Carolina to expand technology skills training in rural North Carolina.$1 million Truist Foundation grant to NPower to provide technology skills and employment opportunities for military-connected individuals and underserved young adults in the Raleigh community.

“Safe, affordable housing and career pathways are key to North Carolina’s vibrancy and economic growth. Truist’s purpose is to inspire and build better lives and communities, and our commitment today addresses these critical needs,” said Truist Chairman and CEO Bill Rogers. “We are honored to be the anchor investor in the Housing Impact Fund II, which has a proven and innovative approach to preserving affordable housing near jobs, transit and quality education in Charlotte. Our grant to NPower makes its free information technology training available for the first time in the state to help many North Carolinians attain quality jobs. The grant to Per Scholas also supports upward mobility with the expansion of its remote information technology training program in rural areas of North Carolina. These organizations are truly making a difference to strengthen our communities.”

Truist Community Capital continues to lead in affordable housing investment fund

Truist renews its role as the anchor investor in the Housing Impact Fund II (HIF II), which has raised $66.8 million with a goal to preserve 1,200 units of Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) in Mecklenburg County over the next two years. HIF II follows the success of HIF I, a $58 million fund formed in 2020 that has facilitated the acquisition and rehabilitation of 805 units in five Mecklenburg County communities. In total, HIF I and II will invest nearly $125 million in affordable housing and services in the community.

The housing created by HIF I is more than 97% occupied, serves more than 2,000 residents and has 20-year affordability covenants that ensure their continued availability to those earning less than 80% of the area median income. HIF II will focus its investments on apartment communities that are vulnerable to gentrification. Like HIF I, HIF II will spend more than 90% of its renovation dollars with minority-led businesses.

“Protecting NOAH properties is an important and lower-cost way for growing cities to provide affordable housing to residents,” said Mark Ethridge, principal at Ascent Housing, which oversees property acquisition, rehabilitation and operation for HIF I and II. “Without protection, NOAH apartments will not stay affordable, and we risk losing these units to redevelopment and pricing thousands of people out of the housing market. Truist and our fund investors are helping ensure safe, affordable housing options are available in these communities.”

HIF II received support from a diverse group of investors with deep ties to Charlotte, including Truist, PNC Bank, Atrium Health, Honeywell, the Leon Levine Foundation and numerous other companies, foundations and individuals. Ascent Housing, under Ethridge’s direction, will serve as operating partner for HIF II. Managing members of HIF II will be Schwab and Bowles, co-founders of Charlotte-based private equity firm Carousel Capital. Additional information about HIF I and II is available.

Truist Foundation grants build skills, help propel economic mobility across state 

In an era where technology and digital prowess have become essential for many job opportunities, Truist Foundation announced two grants with a singular focus: forging pathways to economic mobility through technology-oriented training initiatives.

NPower, a nationwide tech training program spanning seven states, is venturing into North Carolina, marking its debut in Raleigh—a vibrant city within the Research Triangle community. This ambitious expansion seeks to attract, educate and empower at least 150 new learners over the course of the grant, and aims to hone their skills to master the art of information technology (IT) with the expectation of acquiring expertise equivalent to professionals with one to two years of experience. One of the goals of this initiative is for the impact to extend beyond the boundaries of learning, enabling these graduates to confidently embrace the digital economy and its myriad possibilities.

“Real innovation begins when the problem statement is clear and there is a sincere commitment to address it. That’s why we’re thrilled to be partnering with Truist Foundation for our expansion into North Carolina,” said Bertina Ceccarelli, CEO of NPower. “Empowering underserved communities through innovation in tech and embracing diversity isn’t just a vision; it’s the driving force behind NPower’s mission, where every challenge becomes an opportunity to pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow.”

Per Scholas, an organization that has been advancing equity and increasing opportunity across America for more than 25 years, aims to double the size of its technology skills training offering in the Tarheel state. Through dynamic partnerships, Per Scholas North Carolina will offer remote training programs to more than 250 learners in rural areas of the state in an effort to increase access and opportunity for high-growth careers in technology. With a robust roster of employer partners, from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups, some previous graduates of the program were able to earn nearly twice their pretraining wages, which can result in sustainable economic mobility.

“Per Scholas is grateful for this tremendous investment into Per Scholas North Carolina from Charlotte-based Truist Foundation, helping to increase pathways to economic mobility for North Carolinians. We know the transformative impact a career in technology can have on individuals, and increasing access and opportunity is key. Per Scholas North Carolina has seen the impact of our rural training model already, injecting more than $1.9 million back into local communities. We’re very humbled by Truist Foundation’s grant, which will help us unlock potential for even more aspiring rural technologists, in turn building stronger communities, companies and economies,” said Caitlyn Brazill, chief development officer of Per Scholas.

About Housing Impact Fund II 

Housing Impact Fund II is a $66.8 million social impact equity fund raised to preserve naturally occurring affordable housing in Mecklenburg County. HIF II acquires, renovates and sets long-term affordability covenants on large-scale apartment communities vulnerable to gentrification. The fund will set aside 30% of its portfolio for households earning less than 30% of area median income (AMI), 50% of units to households earning less than 60% AMI and 20% of units to households earning less than 80% AMI. HIF II follows the success of the initial Housing Impact Fund which preserved over 800 apartments in opportunity-rich areas of Charlotte housing more than 2,000 residents. HIF II is managed by Erskine Bowles and Nelson Schwab and operated in partnership with Ascent Housing. More information is available at www.ascenthousing.com and www.ascenthousing.com/housing-impact-fund.

About NPower

NPower is a national nonprofit on a mission to move people from poverty to the middle class by training youth from underserved communities and military-connected individuals in a range of tech skills and placing them in quality jobs. Students who enter their free, six-month program, earn industry-recognized certifications and graduate with the competencies of an IT professional with one to two years of experience. NPower also places students in paid internships with corporate and nonprofit organizations. Eighty percent of NPower graduates get a full-time job or continue their education. Not only is NPower changing life trajectories for individuals from vulnerable communities, but they are also strengthening the overall competitiveness of U.S. businesses hamstrung by today’s limited pool of IT talent. To learn more about NPower, visit www.npower.org.

About Per Scholas

For more than 25 years, Per Scholas has been advancing equity and increasing opportunity across America. Per Scholas unlocks potential for individuals, communities, and employers through rigorous training for careers in tech. Partnering with dynamic employer partners, from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups, we are building sustainable and diverse talent pipelines, together changing the face of tech. With national remote training and campuses in 20 cities and growing, Per Scholas offers tuition-free training in the most in-demand tech skills, including Cloud, Cybersecurity, Data Engineering, IT Support, Software Engineering, and more. To date, more than 20,000 individuals have gained the skills to launch high-growth tech careers, earning three times their pre-training wage. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is our DNA, with 85 percent of learners are people of color, two in five are women, and more than half have a high school diploma as their highest education credential. Learn more by visiting PerScholas.org and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. For local updates, follow Per Scholas North Carolina on LinkedIn and Facebook.

About Truist Foundation

Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation’s (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. Established in 2020, the foundation makes strategic investments in nonprofit organizations to help ensure the communities it serves have more opportunities for a better quality of life. Truist Foundation grants and activities focus on building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses. Learn more at Truist.com/Foundation.

About Truist 
Truist Financial Corporation is a purpose-driven financial services company committed to inspiring and building better lives and communities. Truist has leading market share in many high-growth markets in the country and offers a wide range of products and services through our retail and small business banking, commercial banking, corporate and investment banking, insurance, wealth management and specialized lending businesses. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist is a top 10 U.S. commercial bank with total assets of $555 billion as of June 30, 2023. Truist Bank, Member FDIC. Learn more at Truist.com.

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Media Contacts: 
Brian Boudreaux, Truist, media@truist.com 
Mark Ethridge, Ascent Housing, 704-651-2742, mark@ascent.re 

Kristen Fraser, Truist Foundation, media@truist.com 
Yasmine Sabry, NPower, 201-888-5097, Yasmine.Sabry@npower.org 
Sara Luciano, Per Scholas, 332-895-0051, sLuciano@perscholas.org